This week I am thankful that I can “Put On”.  What does that mean?  Well I’m not talkin about trying to fool you but let me try to explain.

The Christmas season is a little hard for me because my family is spread out in three different states so it makes it rather lonely. I have no children or grandchildren so at this time of year I realize how much more important my relationship with the Lord is and His words also.  I was reminded this morning when I was reading my Bible in Romans 13:14  which says,  “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”  When I begin to feel sorry for myself I need to remind myself that I am to put on  Jesus Christ like I put on my earthly clothes.  I am clothed with the Lord and I need to serve others as He commands us to do–to love others the way he loves us. I may not have family here but I can serve those in my community in some way during this time of year and not always just monitarily.  Isaiah 61:3 speaks of having a “garment of praise for the spirit of despair” or some translations say a “spirit of heaviness”.   Sometimes in the hustle bustle of Christmas and all the things that need to be done such as shipping packages or ordering gifts to be sent to get there on time we can get that feeling of “heaviness”.  Maybe that’s when we need to turn on those Christmas carols and “put on” that garment of praise” and glorify God.  We might also want to put a little dab of that “oil of gladness” behind our ears while we’re at it and say to ourselves that “this is the day the Lord has made–I will rejoice and be glad in it”.  Are we starting to get a little joyous?  I feel myself getting a little lighter and less mopey (?)

The next item we definitely need to remember to “put on”  is the “Armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17).  For those who have some difficult relatives things can get a little touchy at Christmas gatherings or even with all  those extra curricular activities going on at church  we may experience some disunity. Having that armor on is very important during these times. Don’t let the enemy spoil a single minute of this Christmas season. 

So in closing I will just say that I am thankful for the things we can “put on” to glorify the Lord not only during this Christmas season but every day of our lives. 

If you’d like to read some more Thankful Thursdays hop on over to Women Taking a Stand for the postings.  You can also find the home of Thankful Thursday at “Grace alone”.