My Christmas dilemna!

Well, well, well...there are only 11 days left until Christmas! Are you ready? Everyone asks that, do you hear that question alot? How are you even supposed to answer? Do they mean, "Do you have all your presents?" or "Are you done wrapping?" or what? What I really think it is, is the filler question! What I mean by that is, ya know....the social question to fill the time. Who knows what I mean? Another example of this is the famous, "Hey! How are you?" but walking away before they answer. Or the "Hey, how's it going?" Instead of the normal, "Hello!" greeting. Or maybe the "ready" question is just a secret status update...like, "Did you get a present for everyone yet, bc I want someone else to tell me that they aren't done so I'm not the only fool not done!"

Either way, I think in all of these aspects of whatever the real meaning of this posed question, I'm not ready. I don't have everyone done, and I really don't think I'm going to get everyone done, and to be honest, I'm not that ok with it. I have a couple of people done and that's probably all I need. Of course, if I had a million dollars, I could think of 9 other people to get presents for, but I think that this year, I'm drawing the line.

This is the first for me, to be this confined in my giving. I am dealing with that. I know that might sound weird, but I used to get this and that for so and so and then get another present for them from Caleb, but this year's different AND I refuse to go into debt just to be a people pleaser. I am being delivered from this mentality and this is just a tiny step Jesus in taking me in so that my mind can be renewed and I can be set free. Anyway, I think there are alot of us "People Pleasers" in the world. I know my house is full of them. I married one and we are trying to keep our son protected from learning it, but already you can see the signs in him.

Here are only 3 ways to find out if you fall into this "People Pleasing" category:

• ARE YOU COMPLETELY HONEST WITH OTHERS?
• DO YOU DO THINGS OUT OF DUTY VS. DESIRE?
• ARE YOU CONSTANTLY SACRIFICING YOUR OWN LEGITIMATE NEEDS?

Well, my answers are "no, most of the time duty, yes and then getting bitter with the person or thing that I am helping." I'm a total people pleaser. God is helping me. Anyway, Christmas is just one area that God is using to deliver me. I appreciate that, but it really sucks, just to be honest with you. I know for a fact that people are getting me gifts that I can not get gifts for in return and I know that this is not the purpose for Christmas anyway, but in my own warped mind, that's always been the way that it is. I also know that I am going to hate being completely uncomfortable opening and taking these gifts knowing all this. I hate that awkwardness! Anyway, this is the post today...am I alone? Any thoughts to share?