It’s that season…
A season of thanksgiving
A season of Advent
A season of waiting and anticipation
A season of giving
A season of buying
A season of decorating
A season of parties
A season of family and friends
A season of Christmas
A season of over-spending
A season of cold and snow
A season of busyness
So. Many. Seasons.
Which of these seasons are you wrapped up in right now? Are there more that didn’t even make the list? Which ones do you wish you could give up this year?
This is the season where I put on my alter-ego of #DJFrosteeFreeze and spend my evenings spinning upbeat Christmas songs at Kings Island’s Winterfest. During my five-hour evening shift, I stand in one spot and I see so many of these seasons playing out right before my eyes. I see how the stresses of life build to a point where people can’t enjoy the magical experiences all around them.
In three nights of work so far, I have seen the following:
- Parents yelling at seventeen-year-old employees because kids are cheating in the “everyone wins” games.
- Parents yelling at each other because one parent wants to let the kids keep hula-hooping and the other parent doesn’t want the kids to miss the upcoming show.
- Adults pounding on the doors of the restaurant because they aren’t open within the first five minutes of the park opening.
- Adults beating someone else’s small children in a relay race so that they could get a tiny plush polar bear for themselves.
That is just the start. I am sure I will see so much more!
This season of “joy” can quickly overpower us with stress and turn it into something dark and mean. Remember that each person you come across this season, especially retail workers, are beloved children of God and might just be at the end of their rope as well. Take a deep breath, relax, flash some a smile, pay someone a compliment, and pray that God’s love can be shown to all people through our words and actions this season.
Pastor Corey
P.S. Come visit me at the Coca-Cola Party Zone.