It has been raining here for the past two days. Today is a bit warmer, so I ventured out to run errands.
Let me just start by giving you an update. I will keep it short, so I am not complaining too much. My family has been sick for the past month. We were polite and took turns. First my daughter and I were sick, then my husband and son were sick through Thanksgiving. The kids popped back. They are literally running and jumping. Last Friday, my husband went to the doctor and he had a sinus/respiratory infection. I thought that I better go too, and sure enough, I had the same thing, plus I caught their virus, again. Oh yah. The doctor said that I had quite a few flu symptoms. After I used Clorox all over the house and changed everyone’s toothbrushes, I was as ready, as I could be today, to go out and run errands in the rain.
I have that umbrella, where you push the button, and it pops open. As I was leaving the store, there was an older gentleman in front in me. I have to admit that he did look quite a bit like Santa Claus. He had the same type of umbrella that I did, except his was all black, mine has bright polka dots. He tried to pop it open, and the top of the umbrella fell off onto the ground. He laughed heartily and chuckled, “Well, I have never seen that before”. What do I say when Santa’s umbrella breaks? Of course it was not really Santa. Maybe. Anyway, I smile and say that I have never seen that either. He was still grinning widely, when he says he doesn’t know how to fix this one. As I get to my car, and I am putting away my groceries, Mr. Santa-Look-Alike walks by and laughs again, as he is holding the umbrella and metal base together, saying that he may need a beer to fix this one. I thought, maybe he needs an elf instead? On a chilly, wet, rainy day, his jolly attitude was contagious.
It was a reminder to me, that smiles and laughter are good medicine. As we go through the next 15 days before Christmas, I have to remember to smile at everyone. Smile at the stressed-out-we-have-way-too-much-to-do people you see. Unexpected joy can change a grumpy mood into a feeling of joy and happiness. I need to put away my grumpy, sick attitude and smile.
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.
-Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV)
One of my husband’s favorite pictures is of Jesus laughing. He used to have it pinned up by his desk at work. If you know my husband, you know that he has a huge, infectious smile. It is hard not to smile, when he is smiling at you. He said that we hardly ever see pictures of Jesus laughing, and he liked to think of Jesus happy.
God wants us to be happy. Especially at Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we should all have merry hearts. Since Jesus lived and died for us, to forgive our sins, we should be merry and jolly. Sometimes, a Santa Claus Look-Alike has to remind me that Christmas is a celebration, a gift from God. It is ok, that I have not made Christmas cookies yet or sent out my cards. I should be doing all of these things with a merry heart. Wishing you joy and a merry heart, as you prepare for a glorious Christmas!
Embrace This Beautiful Life 