Here’s something that might be helpful for moms walking through the joys and challenges of the holiday season. Why not draw up a “Ten Commandments” rulebook in what you “will” and “will not” allow? After all, we can predict how we handle the future by what we create today.
So let’s do it! Let’s craft our own holiday “Ten Commandments.” I’ll do one, too.
I WILL
1. I will watch out for the “overs” and not use my current situation as an excuse to OVEReat, OVERshop, be OVERworked or be OVERwhelmed.
2. I will prioritize unforgettable experiences over unmet expectations.
3. I will lean on and trust in Christ for every need that surfaces.
4. I will ask Santa for a vacation to the Bahamas without the kids, some “me” time… PLUS…a laundry nanny for the upcoming year.
5. I will accept that “it is what it is” and thank God that in it all He has a plan for me.
6. I will hold close to heart my loved ones who are with Jesus this Christmas.
7. I will create at least one new holiday tradition for my family and make it memorable.
8. I will be happy with my credit card bill in January because I stuck to my budget.
9. I will celebrate the blessing of my circle of friends and supporters: my church, my family, Arise Ministries.
10. I will wake up Christmas morning celebrating Jesus, the One who came to this earth as a baby and who will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
I WILL NOT
1. I will not wear myself out trying to please everyone. (NO is not a curse word.)
2. I will not let myself feel sad that my kids can’t have everything on their wish list for Christmas. (More is NOT better, right?)
3. I will not neglect this note: PAMPER THYSELF.
4. I will not resent that I feel like the only single parent at the school holiday events.
5. I will not withdraw in isolation because this year’s situation is not my favorite.
6. I will not compare my Christmas decorations to those of the women on Pinterest who have nothing else to do.
7. I will not fill my emptiness by dating men that are not God’s best for me.
8. I will not tell the kids Santa ate the chocolate out of their stockings when I know full well I did it.
9. I will not allow toxic people to take up space in my head.
10. I will not forget this season is about Jesus Christ—my Savior, my Redeemer, my Protector, my Comforter, My Provider, and the One who came to this earth to empower me in my journey.
So friend, what did I leave out? What’s one of your “I WILL” or “I WILL NOT” holiday declarations?
About Pam Kanaly
Aloha! I’m Pam Kanaly, President and co-founder of Arise Ministries. But actually, I think Arise found me wanting to bless single moms years ago. Ministry was never on my mind as a kid. All I wanted to be was a hula dancer. So Mother enrolled me in the tiny tots’ class. Guess God knew I’d have two grandbabies born in Hawaii. I love the great outdoors. You might even find me spending time with my husband grizzly bear watching or camping. In fact, it was on a turkey hunt that God gave me the name Arise Ministries in 2002. I suppose it’s a good thing that I majored in Grammar in college since I love to write words of encouragement to single moms.