Read:

Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Think:

Do you kind of feel a let down after all the hoopla of Christmas has passed? Now it is time for everything to be cleaned, decluttered, and picked up. The month and lead up has been all consuming- with all the hype and frenzy. The mayhem of shopping, the baking, the endless parties, and the wrapping- it is filled with anticipation, even for grown ups. The kids and yourself are probably feeling a little let down, a little dissatisfaction.

Why don’t we use this as an opportunity to teach ourselves and our children that this feeling is natural? The verse in Ecclesiastes means that everyone is programmed by God to not be comfortable here on earth. We acknowledge deep in our core that there is more to this life than the fluff around us, not that everything is “fluff”. But many people are trying to fill the ache in their souls with fluff, with human things- like money, fame, adventure, relationships that are empty. Christmas can be the same. We can try to fill that hole with the “magical” days of Christmas, but it never does. So as we sit among the boxes and wrapping paper with the quietness that is left, let Jesus be the consolation. Let Him give us hope. Let Jesus shine a path toward purpose and substance.

Act:

If you are sad or dissatisfied tell Jesus and then list ways in which you are blessed.

Pray:

Jesus, fill me with Your overflowing and remind me that I am not made for this world.