Burden (Five Minute Friday)

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I know many feel the weight of a burden when this time of year comes along because they dread the idea of getting together with their entire family for the holidays. I’ve never understood this because to me gathering with my family is not a burden. It is a joy. I look forward to family reunions every year because this is often the one time I get to see some of these folks. If I get to see them some other time throughout the year then that is just a bonus.

Maybe the sense of burden tied to family gatherings is really because you feel like you need to buy gifts for every member of your entire family and whoever they are involved with at the time. I feel that pain and it can indeed feel like a burden. This year if you are feeling like avoiding all contact with your family over the holidays because of gift giving “obligations” I want you to rethink your idea of what the holidays are all about. You have all heard Jesus is the reason for the season, and while I am not here to preach to you, consider the fact that His presence is and was enough.

Consider the idea of giving the gift of your presence without the stress of giving gifts. If you feel the need to give, donate to your favorite charity and do it in your family’s name if it makes you feel better. Of plan a fun holiday experience for all of you to do together and give the gift of a lasting memory. Family gatherings don’t have to be a burden, just free yourself of the ways you thought of them in the past and make this year’s holiday season one you can remember and enjoy with your family.

If none of those ideas works for you, then perhaps you should go back and read Saving for the Holidays to get a handle on it before this time next year rolls around. It’s NOT about the gifts, it’s about the people!

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up!
The prompt this week is: Burden
The assignment: Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write.

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