Disappointed by B J Bassett

 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

 

Many years ago, I was expecting our daughter and her family to arrive for Christmas. I’d taken the day off from work to enjoy spending time with them. Shortly after they arrived, they left again to do some last-minute shopping, and they didn’t ask me to join them. My heart sank. It wasn’t what I’d expected.

 

            The door closed behind them, and I slumped into a chair to host a pity party for one. (I read once that a pity party is of the Devil). After a while, I stood, brushed myself off, and headed downtown to look in the pretty decorated store windows. I went into our florist shop and strolled amongst all the lovely gifts and Christmas decorations. I spotted a sign on a stake that read, Santa Please Stop Here. It wasn’t a necessary item since I was on a budget, but I was drawn to it, and I thought the grandkids would like it, so I splurged and bought it. All these years later, it is a reminder to me not to expect others to abide by my expectations.

 

            Over the years, my expectations of myself have changed as well. I no longer stress over the holidays. I do not bake Christmas cookies or make candy, yet our home is filled with goodies from others. I don’t accept every party invitation. And to help family members on tight budgets, we do not buy a gift for everyone—instead, our family exchanges names. Since I enjoy reading, I also take time to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea during the holidays.  

 

            I encourage you to put fewer expectations on others and yourself. Enjoy the peace and joy God provides during this time when we remember and celebrate our Savior’s birth.

 

Father, help me accept what I cannot change—not to cause myself or others stress during this busy season. Amen.

Reprinted from The King’s Daughters: A Women’s Devotional

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.