Leif and I are huge fans of holiday cards and letters. One of our annual traditions is that we save them until Christmas morning when we lay in bed and open them all together. By the time we’re finished, Hershey is buried in blankets and envelopes and note cards.
But this year, I received a holiday e-card (which is a lot harder to save) and went ahead and read it. Instead of the everyday boasting that fills many Christmas cards, my friend wrote of his brokenness.
His words haunted me:
Ever feel like you have wasted a few years of your life? I realized that I have taken far too much for granted in life. I have wasted some precious years in the pursuit of my own agendas. All I can say is for normally taking some pride in being smart, I have been kind of stupid these past couple of years… THANKFULLY, I have a chance to improve, IF I can get some help from friends and associates.
Here are some things I have realized and seek to correct:
- I have taken too many people for granted, as if they are here to serve me and not the other way around. This includes friends, family and work. I have been selfish, as if the world owed me something rather than the other way around, and I know I need to work on serving others more faithfully.
- I often try too hard to please too many people in image – this is being willing to portray different images to different people. It is duplicitous.
- I haven’t stuck to the core values of faith, hope and love. I have kind of worked to try and build a business – at all costs to my friends and community.
Ultimately, I just want to say sorry to those who my selfishness or lack of diligence has either hurt or offended. I know that list could possibly be long. If you are on that list, in a “My Name is Earl” sort of fashion, I’d like to work through these wrongs, if possible.
I feel like I may be opening a huge can of worms here, I am not sure I am even ready to receive the feedback I may get… I just feel like it may be time to stop pretending like nothing is wrong and work to repair broken friendships and relationships. I think I am learning how precious they are and wanted to show gratitude is sometimes preceded by repentance.
This holiday card left me wonderstruck because of its honesty, repentance, and longing to make things right in every relationship.
This holiday season may we be people who work to strengthen, rebuild, and develop our relationships with others so they can be as strong as ever—and a source of celebration and gratitude for years to come. [Tweet this]
What’s the most amazing holiday card you’ve received this year? What makes an ordinary card extraordinary to you?
Wow, a Christmas card making amends. What a very appropriate time to decide to make things right or to right a wrong. It reminded of how Jesus coming e to earth was a journey to restore and make things right. Your friend gets the importance of that process. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderstruck here, too. I’ve never seen a card quite like that.
Refreshing, honest, humbling. A wake up I needed this morning. Thank you. 🙂
Wow! That is amazing and the honesty… beautiful! That would leave me wonderstruck too.
Thank you for sharing.
xoxo
Who would give this man anything other than positive, grateful feedback for his heartfelt and almost desperate plea. Love this. Love the work God is doing in him – even if he doesn’t mention it.
Merry Christmas unknown man. May your words touch a multitude who seek to consider their own lives in a similar manner.
Blessed to have read this, thank you Margaret.
Felecia
Merry Christmas, Felecia!!
Isn’t it so refreshing, Jennifer?
Me too, Dale. Makes me ask who I need to apologize to or reconcile with this Advent season.
This is one of those never-forget cards!
Merry Christmas to you, Eileen.
Wow, great card! Thanks for sharing! Hope you, Leif and Hershey are doing well!!
Merry Christmas, Carol. Huge hug, friend!
Margaret, I’ve sent personal letters and emails like that, but never with quite that depth of pathos and transparency in a Christmas card. I do send Christmas newletters that are sometimes upbeat, sometimes sad, and hopefully, authentic–mostly, pointing to the grace of God who gave us His Son at Christmastide. This year, for me, it wasn’t a card, but a call from a dear friend who is undergoing a very difficult time. I’d sent her a letter of thanks and encouragement, and apparently, (and I say this with great humility), what I said to her was in stark contrast to the response of people in her life, whom she loves greatly, but who have hurt her deeply. She wept, and it’s the first time I’d ever heard her cry. Oh, how I love the written word, where we can leave a lasting gift of encouragement to those to whom we send our cards, letters, and greetings. I love your custom of reveling in every written word on Christmas. What a gift. God bless you, and Merry Christmas!
Fondly,
Lynn
Oh Lynn– what a gift your sweet note was to your friend. As I’ve experienced, many times people facing great adversity just need to be reminded that they are loved and thought of. It can make all the difference in the world. Merry Christmas to you!
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