Good cheer: a shout of encouragement, praise, or joy; a cheerfulness, optimism and confidence that exudes happiness and good spirits.
We’ve all met or know a Scrooge. They’re the people with an incredible ability to drag down the joy of any atmosphere.
Yesterday I met one.
Yesterday I talked to one.
Yesterday I literally watched merriment be zapped right out of the room as each person in front of me reached the kiosk to do business with her.
But what Scrooge didn’t know is that I was prepared.
I had already placed a tiny little gift in my pocket (due to yesterday’s challenge) and I had been praying that God would direct me to give this gift to whomever would cross my path at precisely the right time.
When I reached the front of the line, I said, “Can you believe it’s already December 1st?”
She scoffed, “October 1st, November 1st, December 1st, pfft, it’s all the same.”
Translation: Bah humbug.
So I smiled and laughed, “Well it’s a good thing December 1st means something different to me because I brought you a gift.”
Her head jerked up.
Her eyes locked with mine as if she were a deer caught in headlights.
She rudely snarked (probably because I caught her off guard), “Why?”
I replied, “Why not? It’s Christmas!”
Her eyes filled with tears as she told me all about how she is so stressed out about December.
Christmas is a time of good cheer, is it not? So why not be the person who brings good cheer wherever they go.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22
Christmas idea: donate gently used toys or clothes to a charity in need. If you don’t know what is needed, spend a few moments calling around to see what’s in demand.
Christmas prayer: Dear Lord, Your Word says where my treasure is there my heart will be also. I pray You would fill my heart with true joy and cheer this holiday season. I pray my heart would exude deep love for You and that YOUR presence would radiate through me wherever I go. I sincerely pray that YOU would be my deepest desire, and that the cheerfulness and joy I share to those around me would point people to You. Amen.
