It’s Christmas morning!
Our home used to be knee-deep in large swathes of wrapping paper with
kids happily playing as we watched in love and thankfulness. Today, we look at our little tree while
warming our hands around steaming cups of coffee and revel in the quiet and
togetherness as we rest contentedly in God’s loving arms.
This morning, my
thoughts focus on looking up. The
shepherds looked up, the wise men looked up, and we should be looking up for
His return. But then, my pondering took
another direction.
At Christmas,
family relationships sometimes bring all sorts of looks. Some are looks of love, others of envy. Some look down in superiority, while others
look for an escape route. So, when I
look down on others, I fail to see God looking down on me.
How often am I guilty of looking down on others? Oh, I might not say anything, but in my mind’s eye, I see them beneath me. Maybe I consider myself wiser than them, more prosperous, or more important. Perhaps I see their hardships and take strange comfort because I’m not dealing with that sort of problem. Or, maybe I see myself as living on some kind of moral high ground that feeds my false sense of superiority.
How often am I guilty of looking down on others? Oh, I might not say anything, but in my mind’s eye, I see them beneath me. Maybe I consider myself wiser than them, more prosperous, or more important. Perhaps I see their hardships and take strange comfort because I’m not dealing with that sort of problem. Or, maybe I see myself as living on some kind of moral high ground that feeds my false sense of superiority.
Truly, none of
these are valid. They are sourced in
pride, which causes me to look down on others and forget God is looking down on
me. He sees my pride. It stinks!
He knows I am sinfully mortal, but for some reason, I have forgotten
it.
Knowing God looks
down on me, I best adjust my attitude. I
am flesh. I am dust. But I am also His child, and I am looking in
the wrong direction. If I fail to look
up and seek His forgiveness, I will continue in my pride. How much better for me to correct my vision!
However, when I
lift others up in prayer and by my words and actions, I am looking up at God. In
humble, loving supplication, my eyes meet His, and together, by the
companionship of His Spirit, prayer enters into Heaven. My pride is changed into a humble, sweet-smelling savour bringing blessing to everyone.
This Christmas
morning, I pray you are surrounded by looks of love, thankfulness, and
peace. But most of all, I pray you keep
your eyes looking up. God is watching!
We leave Friday for two weeks in Spain with our son and his
family. I will not be blogging. Instead, I’ll be playing grandma with my two
girls. Meet you back here after the
holidays on the 15th of January!
Meanwhile, can I ask you to do something for me? Would you recommend my blog to others? If you would, please either send this link to
ten friends asking them to check it out and subscribe. https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=BesideTheWell&loc=en_US
Or have them email me, at gail.gritts@me.com
and I will add them to my email list.
My goal next year is to increase my readers, and your help
will play a great part!
Thank you!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Keep looking up!
Gail
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