Christmas is the season for twinkle lights, gifts, and the celebration of the Newborn King. How could it be anything but magical? ’Tis also the season for extended togetherness, exhaustion, gift wrapping, anticipated magic, high expectations, too much caffeine, not enough sleep…add a little alcohol and things are about to get messy.
When Christmas is about to hit the fan, you can choose your mindset.
Over the next week, let’s practice generous assumptions.
Our eyes will see what we are looking for. If we look for the good, we will see more of it.
Generous assumptions is assuming the good. If I assume that the visitors are late because traffic was bad rather than creating a storyline that they do not value our time together, I will be able to give them more grace upon their arrival.
If I assume someone will be nitpicking because they are tired, it allows me to extend them more grace. Without generous assumptions the first thing I am going to be looking for upon their arrival is their usual behavior, which might be nitpicking. They may be merely saying, “Hello.” But what I hear is “Hello. Why do your children look so disheveled?” I force their behavior into the mold of my preset expectations, rather than extending them grace through generous assumptions.
We can choose to lead our kids towards making generous assumptions as well. Remember that your answers color how they view situations. “Uncle Zach didn’t talk very nice.” “He might have a lot on his plate right now.”
When situations are complicated help them set their gaze. Make everyone’s assignment to look for the things they appreciate about the people you are about to spend time with. When you get back in the car, ask them what the sweet parts of that encounter were.
As we train our eyes to see the good and to extend grace, we will see more good as well. How we prepare their eyes to land on others will someday be the way their eyes hit us.
Be generous, not only with gifts and cookies. Be generous with your assumptions, and you will be sure to see more sweetness this Christmas.
HLLF,
