Smack dab in the middle of my series, "THE 12 STRESSES OF CHRISTMAS". First was MONEY. Second was TIME. Third was PERFECT GIFTS. Fourth is...
LONG LINES (because I'm running short on TIME, there won't be a picture today... ironic, ain't it? ;) )
The fourth stress of Christmas that really gets to me... standing in long lines... finding the perfect present... Time spinning faster.. and not having enough Mon-ey... Ah... Long Lines... a time honored Christmas tradition. It starts way back on Black Friday (or Thanksgiving as it's called now). You stand in line to get that oh so perfect gift... you wait... and you wait... somewhere in your mind, you rationalize that it's natural to wait six hours for a camera 50% off.
Now, with the internet and online shopping, you don't 'have' to stand in lines all the time to do your shopping, but chances are (even if you aren't buying presents) you will. Grocery store lines, lines for gas, lines to pay bills, lines to eat lunch with your kid at school, lines on the interstate to get to grandma's house...
And on...
And on...
And on...
OH! The stresses of long lines!
The kicker is that your line will probably coincide with you having an appointment somewhere (which will cause you to be late... and therefore have to wait in another line).
It's a vicious cycle.
So, what can we do?
Well, we can online shop (more on that later). We can go to to the store during non-peak hours (if possible). We can bring our nook/Kindle and read while we are in line (I have a book that might interest you... *shameful plug... I know! ;) )
And if all else fails, we can pray...
Yes, pray. Not pray for the line to go faster (or that Bubba with the 15 items that all need price checked to decide he doesn't want any of them and just leave). But pray.
Actually. Pray.
Pray for the people on your prayer list.
Pray for your family, friends, acquaintances, enemies.
Pray for the people around you family, friends, acquaintances, enemies.
Pray for your country.
Pray for the world.
Pray for anything you have going on in your heart.
There are very few times life anymore where you can just stand still and be... where you are forced to be in one place at one time and not move... standing in line is one of them. God's got you stuck... so you might as well talk to Him.
You can also talk to the people around you about God. Strike up a conversation and then gradually lead it to Jesus (it's Christmas... Jesus's birthday... it shouldn't be that hard ;) )
So, yes, Long lines are a HUGE stress! BUT if we decide to handle them the right way, they can help our relationship with God and possibly be witnesses to others about Him. Who knows whose life can be changed... just standing in line :)
Lord, help us see the good in annoying situations. We want to take the time you give us to pray to you, worship you, and tell others about you. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen. ~Kelly
BTW, *IF* you'd like some reading material for your nook/Kindle, may I suggest...
BUY LINKS: AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE ASTRAEA PRESS (my publisher)
It's a Christian/Inspirational novel so when people ask you in line what you're reading, you can say... "Well, it's a Christian book... " :)