I am hard on myself during the holidays.

I am certain there are a multitude of reasons:

stress,

lots of "togetherness,"

the internal and external pressure to pull it all off,

cooking,

cleaning,

shopping ...

So this morning before my family starts to gather

I sat quietly in God's presence and asked for wisdom.

This is what came to me -

"Read Colossians 3:12 and apply it to your own self."

This is what Colossians 3:12 says:

"As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,

clothe yourselves with compassion,

kindness,

humility,

meekness,

and patience."

I have always read this passage as a command to treat others in these ways.

But this morning, I read the passage as a command to treat myself in these ways.

The tenderness I felt God asking me to show my very own self brought tears to my eyes.

This Christmas and New Year I will put on some nice, new clothes ...

I will be compassionate to my weary self.

I will be kind when I fail and fumble and mess up.

I will treat myself humbly - "Alice, you are not that big of a deal. Just relax."

I will practice meekness - I don't need to have the first or last word. Perhaps not even any word!!

And I will be patient; so patient with myself. I will recognize that it is ok that I don't have it all together once again. I will try to notice areas of my life where I see progress. And I will be grateful for those areas. And patient and kind and humble and compassionate in those areas where I still struggle. I may be in a hurry, but God rarely is.

My hunch is that the only way I can ever hope to live out Colossians 3:12 toward others

is to first live it out toward myself.

What about you?

Do you need some compassion today?

How about kindness?

Or humility, meekness or patience?

The apostle Paul says "put them on yourself like clothes."

They are the most beautiful holiday outfit ever!