Tips to tame the crazy (plus how to win $100 Visa gift card!)

Big reality check friends… there are 42 more sleeps until Thanksgiving and only 71 more sleeps till the big day—Christmas.

… Some of you just got all excited. You’re the optimists who are blessed to forget the craziness those celebrations bring.

… Some now have a huge pit in their stomach because they know holidays usher in all sorts of crazy.

… And others are thinking, “That’s so far away. Why is she talking about it now?” 

Regardless of how you feel about the upcoming season, it’s going to be here before you know it. And because I want it to be the most wonderful time of the year… instead of being full of the usual crazy… I’m prepping my heart now.

And I’m inviting you to do that same.

Because every year, there is a struggle to find the balance between crazy and calm… perfectionism and peace… stress and sanity… jealousy and Jesus.

And it’s that tension between how the holidays usually play out and how we hope they’ll play out that causes anxiety in the days leading up to them.

I’ll be honest… I absolutely adore the season we’re about to enter.

And while many think “good Christians” (whatever that means) aren’t supposed to celebrate Christmas like the world does…. it sure knows how to throw a great party. Right?

Beautiful lights and decorations. Epic holiday shows. The yummiest of foods. Amazing sales. Great events and parties. And those Rat-Pack melodies. Seriously. But the party kicks into high gear when us Jesus-lovin’ girls bring a big dose of Him into the mix. Amen?

And just as there are the lovely things about the holidays, there are also the not-so-lovely things.

… disappointment, insecurities, stressful family interactions

… disorganization, overwhelming to-do lists, unrealistic expectations

… dashed hopes, exhaustion, grief or sadness

… financial frustrations, painful triggers, bitterness and anger

Aren’t we ready for something different? Well unless we’re intentional to prepare ourselves now, the holidays will be the very same this year as in the past.

A few of my friends and I got together and came up with an idea to help tame the upcoming season of crazy!

Next week — Monday, October 19th through Friday, October 23rd — we are each blogging about the common ways we all get tripped up during the next few months.

We’ll be offering strategies, suggestions and time-tested solutions, all focused on making this the best season yet.

Kathi Lipp will offer practical strategies to help you plan the stress out of Christmas.

Amy Carroll will offer tips to keep  joy, peace and a Jesus-focused heart throughout the season.

Glynnis Whitwer will unpack ways to keep to-do lists tamed so you can stay on track with all that needs to be accomplished.

Cheri Gregory will give you ways to guard your heart so you can be content in the midst of outrageous consumerism.

And me! I will offer ideas on how to keep your sanity when you’re around family and friends who tangle your heart.

If you are receiving this blog, you’re all set. Each day next week, a new blog will show up in your email.

But seriously, here’s the coolest part.

If you leave a comment on next week’s blogs, you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of the featured guests book! Plus, you’ll be entered to win the grand prize:

• A signed copy of each author’s book – that‘s 5 new books for your nightstand!
• $100 VISA gift card!

All winners will be announced on Saturday the 24th at Wrapped In Grace.

Friend, let’s do a little prep work on the front end of the season… so we can have a treat-baking, present-purchasing, gift-wrapping, carol-singing, manger-loving, family-friendly, sugar-overdosing, perfection-free holiday with unshakable confidence and undrainable joy.

See you next week!