ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   Christmas time is my favorite time of the year.  I love to give.  I love the crispness in the air, the holiday decorations, the baked goodies, the carols, the lights on the streets, and the holiday cheer that you don’t find at any other time.  I love having my family home.

   But that last statement may bring with it some challenges for some of us.  I don’t think there is anyone who can escape the extra pressures, unbelievable schedule and the strain on the budget.  Pressured, tired, short tempers and poor…wrapped together in one package…that’s a disaster waiting to happen!  And often times it does.  It’s too bad, for in a season when we should be expressing our love to one another, we find ourselves isolated with hurt relationships.

   So I’ve got one more package each of us should put under the tree…the gift of forgiveness.  If you have other nicely wrapped presents under the tree but you had harsh words with them, you’d better give them this present first.  The other gifts won’t have their impact of delight if there’s tension in the relationship.

   Don’t be ashamed that you have to put one of these packages under the tree.  The only shame that needs to be born is to the one who should have one of these under the tree but doesn’t!  Failing to forgive is sometimes worse than the failure. 

   And don’t feel bad that you often have to eat humble pie and ask for forgiveness.  Norman Cousins said, “Life is an adventure in forgiveness.”  Your growth is measured by whether you have to ask for forgiveness less frequently.  But if you injure others with your tongue or actions and don’t ask for forgiveness, you stunt your growth and become a gnarly, grumpy little elf. 

   Do you want to live in the tree stump or the cozy, warm living room?  Then give a gift of forgiveness.

   Oh, and by the way, you can have them open this present before Christmas!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   Christmas time is my favorite time of the year.  I love to give.  I love the crispness in the air, the holiday decorations, the baked goodies, the carols, the lights on the streets, and the holiday cheer that you don’t find at any other time.  I love having my family home.

   But that last statement may bring with it some challenges for some of us.  I don’t think there is anyone who can escape the extra pressures, unbelievable schedule and the strain on the budget.  Pressured, tired, short tempers and poor…wrapped together in one package…that’s a disaster waiting to happen!  And often times it does.  It’s too bad, for in a season when we should be expressing our love to one another, we find ourselves isolated with hurt relationships.

   So I’ve got one more package each of us should put under the tree…the gift of forgiveness.  If you have other nicely wrapped presents under the tree but you had harsh words with them, you’d better give them this present first.  The other gifts won’t have their impact of delight if there’s tension in the relationship.

   Don’t be ashamed that you have to put one of these packages under the tree.  The only shame that needs to be born is to the one who should have one of these under the tree but doesn’t!  Failing to forgive is sometimes worse than the failure. 

   And don’t feel bad that you often have to eat humble pie and ask for forgiveness.  Norman Cousins said, “Life is an adventure in forgiveness.”  Your growth is measured by whether you have to ask for forgiveness less frequently.  But if you injure others with your tongue or actions and don’t ask for forgiveness, you stunt your growth and become a gnarly, grumpy little elf. 

   Do you want to live in the tree stump or the cozy, warm living room?  Then give a gift of forgiveness.

   Oh, and by the way, you can have them open this present before Christmas!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   Christmas time is my favorite time of the year.  I love to give.  I love the crispness in the air, the holiday decorations, the baked goodies, the carols, the lights on the streets, and the holiday cheer that you don’t find at any other time.  I love having my family home.

   But that last statement may bring with it some challenges for some of us.  I don’t think there is anyone who can escape the extra pressures, unbelievable schedule and the strain on the budget.  Pressured, tired, short tempers and poor…wrapped together in one package…that’s a disaster waiting to happen!  And often times it does.  It’s too bad, for in a season when we should be expressing our love to one another, we find ourselves isolated with hurt relationships.

   So I’ve got one more package each of us should put under the tree…the gift of forgiveness.  If you have other nicely wrapped presents under the tree but you had harsh words with them, you’d better give them this present first.  The other gifts won’t have their impact of delight if there’s tension in the relationship.

   Don’t be ashamed that you have to put one of these packages under the tree.  The only shame that needs to be born is to the one who should have one of these under the tree but doesn’t!  Failing to forgive is sometimes worse than the failure. 

   And don’t feel bad that you often have to eat humble pie and ask for forgiveness.  Norman Cousins said, “Life is an adventure in forgiveness.”  Your growth is measured by whether you have to ask for forgiveness less frequently.  But if you injure others with your tongue or actions and don’t ask for forgiveness, you stunt your growth and become a gnarly, grumpy little elf. 

   Do you want to live in the tree stump or the cozy, warm living room?  Then give a gift of forgiveness.

   Oh, and by the way, you can have them open this present before Christmas!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry