One Thing that will Change your Perspective When Christmas is Hard
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 NLT
Today is my dad’s birthday. He would have been 68 years old.
I can look back over the years he’s been gone and see so much of the good that God brought out of his death.
Yet 18 years ago, I couldn’t see past the grief.
On May 5, 2001, while on a vacation to the mountains, he was killed in a car accident.
As an only child, I felt that my whole world had fallen apart.
I was completely devastated.
But in the midst of my brokenness, God began drawing me in, healing and restoring me.
He used the people closest to me to give me powerful, but practical insights that would change the way I saw life.
On one particular day as I was agonizing over the reality of my situation, my mother in law, Bonnie, suggested that I start a Thanksgiving journal.
I would write at least one thing every day that I was thankful for, regardless of how small it was.
As I began the journal, each day seemed to get a little bit better.
My perspective began to change.
Instead of questioning the why’s of my dad’s death, I started seeing the many blessings that I still had.
About 6 months ago, while rummaging through some old boxes of books, I found the Thanksgiving journal.
Reading back through it, I was amazed at how little I could be grateful for.
One entry simply stated, “I am grateful that I am alive today.” That was it.
However, as I flipped through the pages I discovered day after day, words that would allow me to see the healing that was taking place over the next year. The lists got longer and more detailed about the things I was thankful for.
Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions we have. Check out this post on how you can start your own gratitude journal today!Through all this pain, I realized something….
It doesn’t change our circumstances, but it does change our perspective.
Reflecting back on that time in my life, I wouldn’t change the hard times I had to go through.
It was during the difficult times that God brought me closer to Him.
As His daughter, He lifted my chin and and directed my eyes upon Him.
The more I focused on Him, the more peaceful and thankful I became.
I learned how to be grateful even in the midst of the most difficult times.
Today I celebrate.
I celebrate my dad, who has gone to heaven and is rejoicing without sorrow or pain. And I celebrate my Lord who stepped out of heaven to give me everything, that I may live a peaceful and victorious life.
** I found a funny, relevant video of Zig Ziglar telling a story about gratitude that I thought you would enjoy!**
How to be Grateful When Christmas is Hard:
Start a Gratitude Journal
Journaling has been one of the most powerful ways to see how God has moved in my life. The entries have become “Stones of Remembrance” of all the blessings I can be thankful for. I encourage you to try it today. The writing doesn’t have to be long (unless you want it to be!). It’s really just a way for you to jot down your thoughts for the day.
If you aren’t sure where to start journaling, you can check out our Gratitude Journal. It’s full of scriptures, a weekly guide of things to be thankful for and a daily journal to jot your thoughts. (This is also great to use with your family!)
Have a Family Time of Thankfulness
Gathering together as a family and sharing what we’re thankful for is a great way to produce a Christ focused environment. Each person can tell what they are thankful for and why. Even the little ones love to do this!
For those who are Married
Sit down with your husband after the kids are in bed and talk about what you’re thankful for as a couple. It will draw you closer together and the children will follow your lead.
For some of you this season is joyful and exciting, while for others this time of year can be very difficult. Remembering lost loved ones and broken relationships can make this season more of a time of sorrow than celebration. But this Christmas, I encourage you to seek the One Who heals and redeems. He can make all things new.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for Your goodness in our lives. Each day You give us something to be thankful for. Father, as we celebrate Your Son’s birth, help us to see all the wonderful blessings You’ve given us. Help us to continually acknowledge You as the giver of all good things. Help us to be aware that Christmas is hard for some. Give us the discernment to care for them and be an encouragement to them. We love You and thank You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What do you do to keep an attitude of Gratitude during the Christmas season? I would love to hear how you keep Christ in Christmas.
What a great reminder to simply be grateful. I am learning more and more how important it really is! Thanks for sharing!
Me too, Stefani! Gratitude is so important to our well being!
Oh friend, you are absolutely right about gratitude. When we focus on the things we are thankful for it definitely shifts our perspective. Much love to you on your Dad’s bday and sending you tons of hugs.
Beautiful Alisa. I have found that same documenting of things that God has blessed me with truly does give me a perspective that I desperately need when times are overwhelming. I really do need to write them down daily to see God’s work in my life.
I’m so sorry for the pain of not having your dad on earth. The holidays can sure be hard as we struggle through loss and grief. I loved how you shared your gratitude list from years back. The journal is so pretty! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
I understand this pain…I lost my Dad 18 years ago and his birthday is next week…Dec 19th. That day was also my parents’ anniversary, today is mine. I find myself being very teary today as I remember him and think about all the things I wish I could tell him or show him. These reminders to be thankful are very timely…during my struggles there have been times when all I could do was be thankful for waking up that day. Grief is hard…thankfulness, God’s grace and time make it better.
Alisa, I had no idea you lost your father at such a young age. I’m so sorry, honey. Praise God for your mother-in-law and her wise suggestion. When I lost my dad in Oct. of ’15, the Holy Spirit miraculously lifted the heaviness one Jan. day at my kitchen island. It was wild, powerful, and was the first day, 3 months post-death, that I could say, “Thank you, God.” It was also the first day I smiled and could look at his picture again. Grief is a heavy cloak, but there is phenomenal power in gratitude. I love that you’re being the aroma of Christ by sharing this. Folks need to hear and cling to the message of this one thing that will change our perspective when Christmas is hard — other days, too. Merry Christmas, friend.