Your “WILL” and “WILL NOT” List for the Holidays

Written By Shelley Pulliam

Here’s something that might be helpful for moms walking through the joys and challenges of the holiday season. Why not draw up a “Ten Commandments” rulebook in what you “will” and “will not” allow? After all, we can predict how we handle the future by what we create today.

So let’s do it! Let’s craft our own holiday “Ten Commandments.” I’ll do one, too.

I WILL

1. I will watch out for the “overs” and not use my current situation as an excuse to OVEReat, OVERshop, be OVERworked or be OVERwhelmed.

2. I will prioritize unforgettable experiences over unmet expectations.

3. I will lean on and trust in Christ for every need that surfaces.

4. I will ask Santa for a vacation to the Bahamas without the kids, some “me” time… PLUS…a laundry nanny for the upcoming year.

5. I will accept that “it is what it is” and thank God that in it all He has a plan for me.

6. I will hold close to heart my loved ones who are with Jesus this Christmas.

7. I will create at least one new holiday tradition for my family and make it memorable.

8. I will be happy with my credit card bill in January because I stuck to my budget.

9. I will celebrate the blessing of my circle of friends and supporters: my church, my family, Arise Ministries.

10. I will wake up Christmas morning celebrating Jesus, the One who came to this earth as a baby and who will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I WILL NOT

1. I will not wear myself out trying to please everyone. (NO is not a curse word.)

2. I will not let myself feel sad that my kids can’t have everything on their wish list for Christmas. (More is NOT better, right?)

3. I will not neglect this note: PAMPER THYSELF.

4. I will not resent that I feel like the only single parent at the school holiday events.

5. I will not withdraw in isolation because this year’s situation is not my favorite.

6. I will not compare my Christmas decorations to those of the women on Pinterest who have nothing else to do.

7. I will not fill my emptiness by dating men that are not God’s best for me.

8. I will not tell the kids Santa ate the chocolate out of their stockings when I know full well I did it.

9. I will not allow toxic people to take up space in my head.

10. I will not forget this season is about Jesus Christ—my Savior, my Redeemer, my Protector, my Comforter, My Provider, and the One who came to this earth to empower me in my journey.

So friend, what did I leave out? What’s one of your “I WILL” or “I WILL NOT” holiday declarations?

Shelley Pulliam

Howdy! (A girl from Oklahoma has to use this as her greeting) I’m Shelley Pulliam, Executive Director of Arise Single MOms and former teacher of hormone-filled 8th graders. But my real claim to fame rests in my award as second grade spelling bee champ and my recent gun-handling skills as I train to competition shoot. It helps me be on guard when Satan comes knocking. I’m a voracious reader and can frequently be found at the theater enjoying movie marathons where my record stands at six in one day. I’m a single, never married, who loves to pour into children at every opportunity. Let me know if you have any for sale.

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