Rules to Live By

Matthew Ch 7 Vs. 7-8 'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened to."

Most people right now during the holiday season are bustling about shopping trying to finish their lists of items they know their relatives will want to see under the tree. The kids are sitting at the dining room table asking Santa for toys and maybe for some things to be delivered for mom and dad since they love them so much. The stores are blasting away items that will be now put on sale because there are only so many days left until Christmas...time is ticking...shop now! The entire process can require some to be put on high blood pressure meds or drive some to start a habit of having a cocktail or two just to calm themselves down. The season is wonderful with all of those things mentioned above; however, I have found this season my list of requests are not to Santa or to my family, but they are to God.
The things I hope for are not made in China or can be delivered by UPS, although I do love a nice pair of sunglasses or box of yummy chocolates. The one who can deliver them is God. However, I need to ask Him for these things. These wonderful things that will give my body, mind, and spirit the balance it needs to get through the rest of my long life. There are only five things I am asking for and here they are...

Knowledge
Patience
Wisdom
Love
Understanding

These things I will practice each day...kind of like yoga...one may never be perfect at it but it is the practice that makes it wonderful.
The definitions of these goes as follows....

Knowledge: In God and in Faith. Faith in God is what will help me through life and ultimately enter me into Heaven with God, not necessarily good acts.
Patience: In God's Promises...which leads me to needing to have Faith.
Wisdom: In God's Word and in facing situations that seem bigger than myself; however, no problem is greater than He.
Love: to help others and to be a witness of love because that is what God is...He is Love...couldn't this world use a bit more of it?
Understanding: Understanding through Faith and guidance from God. Also to have understanding of others in this world.
We may not be able to change others who can disappoint us or make us sad or angry, we may not be able to change situations but if we have understanding from God then it will lead us to accept all things which leads us back to Love, Wisdom, Patience, and Knowledge.
The body is a machine that is made up mind, body and spirit. In order for it to work all of these things need to be connected and balanced. If you ask God for these five things this Christmas it will ultimately connect the three main components that make you thrive and live with God. It will make your world a  more peaceful and acceptable place.
As those who dash out to the crowded shopping malls with good intentions this weekend and to those who are planning sumptuous meals to serve to the tired wore out family having traveled many miles for this holiday let us all love one another and have patience and understanding...and of course acceptance for who each of us are. Amen.