“But I don’t have enough money to shop like I want for people I love so it’s sort of depressing.” 

“But it’s so busy and hectic, how can I even enjoy it?”  

“But I lost a loved one. How can I be happy?”  

“But the holidays brings back memories of what was and I just can’t take it.”

“But I’m alone and all my friends have someone they love so I’m just sad thinking about Christmas coming.” 

There are lots of reasons to NOT have a happy holiday season for many of us but no matter how high the reasons stack up against a happy holiday, you really can make a decision to have a happy holiday season ANYWAY! 

Many of you know I lost my Mom this summer and I can’t even tell you how much I miss her, how many tears hit me out of nowhere at unexpected times, but I’ve made up my mind to have a happy holiday ANYWAY!  

I love what my friend Pattie Ah Kui said to me — “Adrienne, you can walk through a battle with cancer and not have the smell of cancer on you! You can go through the death of a loved one and not have the marks of death on you.”

Do you know what that means? You can go through major financial hardship and not have even the slightest smell of poverty on you.   You can go through a nasty divorce and come out without that defining who you are. You can go through whatever you are currently going through and not be defined by it! You can and should and I double dog dare you to just put your foot down, take a good look in your mirror and tell yourself this….. “Self, you are going to have a fantastic happy holiday season ANYWAY!” Thoughts will no doubt come that say, “Yea but…..” and that’s when you say, “Negative thoughts, doubts, depression, loneliness, pity, get your “but…” out of here! I’m choosing joy for this season! I’m choosing life. I’m choosing peace. I’m choosing to have happy holidays ANYWAY!”  

 “The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭CEB‬‬

I believe this verse is especially for you this holiday season and it’s like this angel is saying that to you right now—- Don’t be afraid! Look 👀 {at His Words over all there is to do and more than you look at your situation} There is good news for you! Wonderful joyous news for all people including YOU! …good news of a savior whose name is Jesus that has every answer you need this holiday season. Trust Him! Fall back into His arms. Stop trying to do it all in your strength! You can do this through Christ who strengthens you! And not just survive the holidays but really enjoy every part of it all! Yay! I’m getting so excited about all the holiday fun to be had just writing this. That’s how to have Happy Holidays ANYWAY!! 

Happy Monday!! 😍😘