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    Home / Faith & Life

    Don’t Stir the Crazy Kettle!

    By Jaime Published in Faith & Life Last Updated on December 5, 2016


    DON'T STIR THE

    Featured post by Rachel Coltharp

    Family and work gatherings can be a time of food, fun and festivities. It can also facilitate the brewing of a big ‘ol kettle of crazy.  Old hurts, slights and insecurities can flare up into full-blown nutso. Seemingly innocent comments are an invitation to arguments, joking remarks are seen and felt as cruel, snide slashes that cut to the very heart. Far too often, Christmas gatherings can be Christ-less.

    My suggestion to us all, myself MOST of all, is to remember that when you come up on a big ol’ kettle of crazy… don’t stir!

    Before you leave your house, or go downstairs, cleanse your heart, thoroughly.  Ask the heavenly Father to gentle your spirit and to help you see your family members as He does. You see and hear their unkind words and actions. He sees the reason they say and do them. Purpose in your heart to be the hands, feet, and voice of Christ to these, His children.

    Just like Mary carried the good news inside of her, we can carry it in our hearts. She was misunderstood. Sometimes we are, too. She felt out of place. Sometimes we do, too. She was unappreciated. Sometimes we are, too. Nevertheless, she chose to carry the good news anyway!   So can we.  Remember, anyone can bring a gift to the gathering, only Christians can bring Christ.

    Let your sister-in-law be the GOOD mother, let your brother make the MOST money, let your aunt do it the RIGHT way. Smile and affirm them; take the low road. Know in your heart that you don’t have to be right!

    Yes, bring your delicious food, bring your beautiful gifts, but most importantly, bring with you food for the soul and the Gift of the Ages.

    Bless you, dear daughter of the King, as you strive to keep the holidays, holy days.

    Rachel Coltharp is a wife of one and mother of four. She is fluent in four languages: Infantese, Toddlerspeak, Teenlingo, and Husbandism. She is a writer and public speaker who shares from her real life experiences, mostly mistakes and do-overs. Find her sharing devotions at The Write Word and all things domestic and re-purposed at Galaxy Coltharp.


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    About Jaime

    Hi, I'm Jaime. With my master's degree in leadership and church ministry, plus over 20 years of real life ministry experience (where I've served as the pastor's wife, ministry leader, adjunct professor, and more) I'm on a mission to come alongside you so we can grow together in our faith journey.

    I've been mentioned on Huffington Post, Business Insider, Yahoo, The Penny Hoarder, and more. Welcome!

    Comments

    1. Susie Shock says

      December 14, 2011 at 7:27 am

      Great post! I shared this to Our Simple Farm’s facebook. So true and I sure can relate!

      Reply
      • Jaime says

        December 14, 2011 at 7:31 am

        Thank you for sharing it!

        Reply
    2. MELODY says

      December 14, 2011 at 7:53 am

      you will never know how much I needed this reminder. thank you so much. from God’s mouth to my ears via you. <3

      Reply
    3. The Momma @ The Straightened Path says

      December 14, 2011 at 9:32 am

      I sooo needed this. My aunt advised me recently that I need to stop playing possible scenarios in my head before I get there. I need to stop rehearsing what I will say when “a person” says “xyz”. She reminded me that God’s grace (His supernatural enabling power) is sufficient for me in every moment and that as long as I am seeking Him the grace will be there for me in the moment. No dress rehearsal needed.

      Reply
      • CounterCultureMama says

        December 14, 2011 at 3:19 pm

        Your comment is as helpful to me as the blog post itself. Thank you.

        Reply
    4. Heather @ Raising Mighty Arrows says

      December 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm

      Great post! Thank you for sharing. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Susan says

      December 15, 2011 at 4:28 am

      Amen and Amen!

      Reply
    6. Kristy @ Little Natural Cottage says

      December 15, 2011 at 6:56 am

      You have no idea how much I needed this reminder. Thank you… BLESS YOU for speaking your heart, and reminding us all that Christmas should be Christ-like.

      Reply
    7. Emily says

      December 15, 2011 at 7:20 am

      Perfect advice for the season! I have learned by experience not to stir the kettle.

      Reply
    8. Cindy says

      December 15, 2011 at 11:54 pm

      Rachel Coltharp is absolutely right, I have been to those gatherings and have tried so hard to do just as she has suggested and my but I go away feeling so much better. But I have to be intentional about it, just as she says, or else I stick my big foot in my mouth and go home feeling sick and angry at myself. Thanks so much for this. Now I will go check out her blog.
      Hugs, Cindy

      Reply
    9. Addie says

      December 16, 2011 at 9:11 am

      Thank you.

      Reply
    10. Tara says

      December 17, 2011 at 1:11 am

      You have no idea how much I needed this! It made me laugh, but also ponder more how I can bring more peace to family gatherings. Thanks for the insight! Don’t stir the crazy kettle is my new motto for family/friend gatherings! I blogged about it over at:
      http://keepmovingforwardwithme.blogspot.com/2011/12/blessings.html

      Reply
    11. Elise says

      December 23, 2011 at 12:55 am

      this is so on the mark!!!! thank you- i shared it on my facebook…

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Have yourself a Christ-like Christmas… | littlenaturalcottage.com says:
      December 22, 2011 at 4:02 am

      […] that grabbed my attention. The title- Don’t Stir the Crazy Kettle- piqued my interest.  The article,  well the article hit home.  For me, and probably for many of you, as well. Family and work […]

      Reply

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