A Note from Chris Adams: Yes, it’s already started…the Christmas displays, advertisements, and program rehearsals! As a mom of young children (many years ago now!) I remember thinking, “I cannot get it all done”…and of course, I wanted it done perfectly too! Why not start now and help moms plan to not “do it all”? Read this article by the writer of our moms series, Dr. Deb Douglas, First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA . It’s not too early to help with this Christmas RUSH!
Brace yourself. It will begin any day now. You’ll see it in the eyes of moms—the frazzled, stressed, exploding eyes of moms! What’s the big, “it”? Christmas hits social media! What does the big IT look like in moms? (This list is meant to be tongue in cheek!)
- I’ve got to get the tree up…or the trees. And post pictures of the perfect tree.
- My wreath has got to be bigger, better, and more perfect.
- I have to stay up all night to wrap each gift in coordinating paper with bows and fluffy ribbons. Instagram pictures will work for this one.
- I must make detailed, decorated Christmas cookies and photograph them on a special Christmas platter.
- Each gift has to be the perfect memory making idea with an accompanying blog post, of course.
- I have to be dressed like I belong in a magazine. Hair just puffy enough (not too puffy and never flat), heals, and a lithe figure that results from refraining from that nasty old habit I have of eating!
The pictures of the perfect tree, the elaborate wreaths, the candlelight, perfectly decorated dining rooms, and the overload of Pinterest ideas can drown a mom. Having a place to find great ideas is helpful, but a flood of posts, blogs, and pins can overload a mom and send her into a state of panic.
How do women’s ministry leaders respond to Christmas-panicked moms? First of all, we shouldn’t become panicked ourselves! This year, try subtracting demands from the Christmas calendar instead of expecting a bigger, better, more perfect Christmas than last year. Consider these guidelines while subtracting Christmas demands:
- Will I remember this as, “The Christmas We Didn’t ________” or will anyone notice if I subtract this from Christmas?
- Does this one thing add to the understanding of the true meaning of Christmas? If so, keep it! If not, consider discarding this expectation.
- Is it physically, emotionally, and spiritually possible for me to achieve this expectation? If an expectation will rob me of sleep, then will I be too out of sorts to enjoy Christmas? If I resent having to fulfill this expectation, will I miss the true joy of Christmas?
Over the next few weeks, I will be writing more about keeping Christmas craziness away from the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Merry simply Christmas to you!
Dr. Deb Douglas has served in women’s ministry for over 37 years. Now she spends her time working with Purchased Ministry, a ministry to women in the sex trade industry. Deb is also the Director of Biblical Counseling at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA. She was the first to graduate from New Orleans Baptist Theological seminary with a Masters degree focusing on women’s ministry and has earned a Doctor of Education in Ministry degree from NOBTS. She is “Pearl” to 3 sweet grand babies, “Mom” to Jared Douglas and Katie Chavis, and wife/sweetheart to Paul Douglas.
