Karen Tripp’s BLOG     Speaker, Author, Counselor  http://www.Godisbiggerthan.com/

A Christmas message.

You may be wondering what foot odor has to do with Christmas.  Well, a few Christmas’ ago I got to thinking about the gift of the Christ Child and I realized there’s more to this gift than first meets the eye.  So I wrote this little story called The Story Before the Christmas Story.

One day… before the wise men packed their bags, before the angels sang on high … God had to make a decision.  (Actually, God doesn’t make decisions, He just knows.  But for the sake of the story, we’re going to pretend He had a decision to make.)  It was a perfect day in heaven.  You see, they are all perfect days in heaven: there’s no bad hair days, or poor air quality days or even heavy traffic days.  Everything in heaven is perfect because God is perfect.  But on this perfect day, God had to make a decision: Do I go down to earth as a human or do I take a pass and stay here in heaven where it will be perfect again tomorrow?  So God decided to do a classic pros vs. cons examination of the situation.  Here is what the cons to go down to earth looked like.

Reasons to not go to earth as a human

1. I’d have to be a baby.  That means diapers and diaper rash, teething and colic, wearing drool or spit up with all my outfits, and being too hot or too cool; too wet or too dry; too hungry or too full and not being able to do anything about it!

2. Then I’d have to be a toddler.  That means all that falling down when I want to walk and screaming when I want to talk.  Being told “No” 3x’s more than I’m told, “Yes”.  Placing everything I find within hand’s reach in my mouth whether it’s edible or not. 

3. Eventually, I would become a little boy.  That means taking 2 steps for every one step of my dad’s when I’m trying to keep up.  My body would be a constant collection of bumps, bruises, scrapes, and dirt smudges.  And having to be with my mom when I want to be with other kids and having to be with other kids when I want to be with my mom. 

4. Suddenly, I would have to be a big boy.  That means finding bodily function sounds the funniest things on earth.  Having to wear matching outfits with my little brothers and sisters.  And what about that foot odor thing?

5. Inevitably, I would have to go through puberty.  That means growing so much in one night my bones ache.  Having people mistake my voice for my mom’s voice. And instead of growing a nice beard like my dad’s, I end up with those dumb little curls poking out of my chin. 

6. Finally, I would have to be an adult.  I’d be tempted by the devil, misunderstood by everyone, pursued by masses of people, plotted against by religious leaders, and betrayed by a friend.  Abandoned by all my love ones.  Falsely accused, tried, tortured, mocked, slandered, and crucified. 

That’s quite a con list.  Who would blame God for taking a pass on all of that?  Well, let’s look at the pros.

Reasons to go to earth as a human

1. So I can spend all eternity with my children whom I love.

2. So my children know that a promise is a promise.

 Short list.  But when it comes right down to it, God grieves at being separated from us.  He hungers for the closeness of his children more than any human parent longed for their child.  So God chose the diaper rash and the foot odor, the body aches and the baby drool, and He chose to die on the cross for your sins.

 The story of Christmas begins with God choosing to spend eternity with you rather than without you.  The rest of the Christmas Story is God giving us the only way home to Him…Jesus.

Karen Tripp’s BLOG              Speaker, Author, Counselor  www.Godisbiggerthan.com 

My Mom’s side of the family really knows how to throw a family reunion.  Picture 40-50 people ranging from infants to great-grandparents, a food table with twice as many desserts as entrées, and the obligatory post dinner football game for jocks of all ages.  Typically, The Reunion is held somewhere in North Florida the day after Thanksgiving – providing easy access to the all important Florida vs. Florida State football game on Saturday.  This family reunion is absolutely a not-to-be-missed event …except some years when I miss it.

Somehow the holidays become filled with “not-to-be-missed” events, so many in fact, you would have to be super human to accomplish them all.  There are presents to buy, friends to see, family to visit and events to attend.  But why?  Why do we pack from Thanksgiving to New Years with more activities than any other time of the year?

 Why?  Because God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to earth as a gift so we may be reunited with our heavenly Father once and for all.  But what does buying a bathrobe for my Mom, or attending the “rob your neighbor” gift exchange at work have to do with Jesus?  Well, that’s kind of up to you.  If the holidays are just a stream of irritating responsibilities, then these activities probably have nothing to do with Jesus.  But if the holidays are an opportunity for you to share the undeserved joy that Jesus has brought into your life, then these simple events take on a whole new meaning.

 But it’s not easy to have the true spirit of Christmas.  The danger can come when we start to think things like “I have to go.” “I never miss.”  “I am always there.”  As you are looking at your list of things to do, beware if you hear yourself using the words “Never” and “Always” like in: “I always make the turkey.” or “We never celebrate at their house.”  Something about traditions make these words come up too often. Personally, I think Never and Always are really words that should be reserved for Jesus because He is the only guy that can stand by them.  Always.  After all, that’s the reason for the season.  Jesus came so we will ALWAYS be loved and NEVER be forsaken. 

 So, how do you increase your joy and decrease your stress?  Design your own Christmas.  REALLY!  Christmas is not something that happens to you each year with no involvement from yourself.  Your Christmas is impacted by a series of decisions you make beginning now.  Don’t let Christmas happen to you when you were not paying attention.  Decide what you want your Christmas to look like.  How? First, do those things that actually give you joy.  They’re important.  Next, for those unavoidable obligations that you are not so excited about, pray for God to give you a gracious heart.  God’s gift of His Son is so powerful it can override office parties, visits from your in-laws and even excessive service events at church.   Listen: The Christ Child is lying in the manger waiting for you this Christmas in a whole new way.  Don’t miss Him!

  Karen@ktripp.com

Dear Karen, This is going to be my first christmas without my dad, and I am having trouble getting into the christmas spirit. He has only been gone 8 months. Please help. Vickie

Vickie,

Thank you so much for contacting me.  I can only imagine how hard it is to think about this first Christmas without your father. 

I wish I had some words to make it seem less overwhelming, but I don’t.  Part of the reason Christmas can be such a difficult time for grief is that the loss of a love one leaves a hole in your heart.  Everyday life leaves tons of reminders of the ache inside that has come from the loss but the holidays bring traditions.  And with traditions come the expectation for consistency and normalcy that the absence of your love one denies.  Things are not normal.  They can be blaringly different.  Christmas often brings a renewed sense that your dad’s “suppose” to be there.

Coping with grief is very individual.  Some days you want to be alone and others you want to be with a friend or family.  Maybe there are times you feel like talking about your dad yet other times you’d rather no one mentioned your loss.  Another thing about the holidays is that family members come together and everyone is grieving in there own ways.  One family member may want to do something different this year so the absence of your dad is not as obvious.  Other family members want to keep traditions the same because the consistency gives them comfort.  It’s hard to talk about the fears of the holidays but it’s not a bad idea.  Ask the other family members what they’re dreading about this Christmas and each of you think about what would help you get through the holidays.  Be together? Be alone.  Talk about dad or not?  Do something new or be consistent?

You might think about the expectations both friends and family members may have for you.  The holidays always bring expectations of parties, gift giving, decorating, etc.  You get to choose.  Any of these things that do not add joy and peace to your Christmas season, you get to pass on.  Tell folks you’ll be at an event if you feel up to it.  Buy the presents you feel motivated to buy. Decorate the things that add pleasure to your days.  It’s OK to tell others, “Not this year.” 

Lastly, and I really do believe this, in the midst of all the fears and sadness and confusion of this first Christmas without your dad, you might find Christ in a new and meaningful way.  Never has there been a Christmas that you needed Him more and this Christmas He wants to be closer to you than ever before.  God sent His Son to earth the first Christmas because He knew how much you were going to need the Christ Child this Christmas.  Try and think of the true meaning of Christmas: the gift of a Son so that in your hardest days you can rest in the strength of His loving arms.  Try and seek the wellspring of love that awaits you this Christmas at the manger of our Savior.

I pray that in the midst of the pain of your loss Christ reveals Himself to you in the most glorious ways.  When you need Jesus most, He wants to be with you more.

Blessings,

Karen Tripp MS        Speaker, Author, Counselor

To learn more about Karen’s First Christmas After grief CD go to http://store.godisbiggerthan.com/music.   It is a beautiful collection of 9 carols sung by AriSon and 9 devotions written by Karen, designed to provide the comfort and reassurance many grieving people need their first Christmas without  their loved one.

Yep!  I have writtena 28- day Christmas devotional called Discovering the True Spirit of Christmas and I am looking for guinea pigs!  Actually, I’m looking for folks that would be willing to give my book a test run this Christmas so I can improve it before I take it to final print.  Just click on the link to ASK KAREN above and put in your name and snail mail address and If you are one of the first 50 people, I’ll send you one!

Let me be the first to say…MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Karen Tripp MS           Speaker, Author, Counselor

Karen Tripp’s BLOG      Speaker, Author, Counselor   http://www.Godisbiggerthan.com/

You know sometimes bulldozers are pretty handy things to have around.  If you’re plowing paths through thick forests or turning mountains of dirt into flatten vistas then a bulldozer is just what you need.  However, if you have a delicate job that requires patience and careful consideration, a bulldozer is probably not what you need.

I have on occasion been called a bulldozer.  This is hopefully not referring to my physique but rather my tendency to become intensely focused.  You might even say I can become driven.  Like a traditional bulldozer, this can be a good thing- as long as no innocent bystanders are in my way.  Trees get mowed, mountains get flattened but if there is a need to change directions or remember to refuel, bulldozers like me have real problems slowing down.

Bulldozers make me think about the 10 lepers who Jesus met one day.  (Luke 17)  Jesus told them to go into to town and show themselves to the priest.  Along the way they were healed. Imagine years of isolation from everyone and everything you love because of a disease you contracted through no fault of your own.  Finally, after years of praying or wishing or hoping that some one, somewhere would take away this terrible disease, you’re HEALED!   These 10 guys must have completely freaked out! Healed, finally healed!  But do you know what?  Only one turned back on the road and went back to thank Jesus for healing him.  Only one.

I would love to tell you that I would be the one that turned back to thank Jesus and I’d want to be the one that turned back but being a bulldozer, I’m not so sure.  If I had suffered from leprosy for years I would have dreamed a thousand times what I would do if I was ever healed.  First I’d run to the priest and get him to certified that I’m not a leper so no one would freak out and stone me or something.  Then I would head home.  I would not pass go I would not collect 200 dollars.  I would just get home to my love ones the fastest way I knew how.   I’d sob hysterically all over my husband, smother my kids with hugs and then I’d probably start to cook everyone something.  You see I would be so focused on making the most of the blessing that I would forget about where the blessing came from.  My bulldozer would be in overdrive!

Neglecting the source of your blessing by focusing on making the most of it is easier to do than you think.  The new house that you’ve always wanted turns into an unending list of remodeling projects.  The child you’ve prayed for inspires mounting concerns for appropriate nutrition, healthcare, academics, social interactions and outside activities.  The promotion you’ve worked so hard to attain comes only to push you to keep it.  Blessings.  Every pore in our body wants to charge into the long awaited blessing, drinking its fill.  But the weird thing is that the blessing won’t quench your thirst.  Only Jesus can.  The more we turn toward Jesus, shouting praises and bowing down in thanks, the less we need blessings and the less we look for blessings.  But here’s the really cool thing: the more we turn towards Jesus, the more blessings we see.  It’s true! Invisible blessings will start to become visible.  When that happens, thankfulness becomes more than a response to blessings.  It becomes a condition of your heart. 

The trick is turning around instead of charging.  Of course you know how hard it is for bulldozers to turn around.  But it’s not impossible.  Thank God it’s not impossible!

This Christmas season finds Karen at Lord of Life Lutheran in Chesterfield, MO speaking at their Advent By Candlelight celebration.  This wonderful event will be held on December 14th.  karen’s topic will be Receiving the Gift:

Some of the most dreaded words of the Christmas season are: “I feel terrible.  I don’t have anything for you.”  Fear of uttering those words create frenzie shopping excursions in search of the perfect generic gift so you won’t be empty handed.  Yet empty handed is the only way to be when approaching the Christ child on Christmas morning.  Through fun yet insightful look at Mary’s Magnificant Luke 1:46-55), Karen will share how to enjoy the season with a sense of expectancy that comes by receiving the true gift of the season, Jesus.
For more information call (636) 532-0400 or go to http://lordoflifelcms.org

LOCATION: Lord of Life Lutheran

15750 Baxter Rd
Chesterfield, MO 63017-4983

Karen will be joining the ladies at Christ Lutheran Church in Overland KS for their Advent by Candlelight event.  This year it will be held on December 2nd.  Karen’s topic will be Giving the Gift:

It’s that look on their face when they open the gift and you know you got it right.  Every Christmas, God is waiting for you to open up the gift of His Son.  Seize the wonder of Christmas by beholding the glory of Christ much as Elisabeth understood the glory of the unborn Christ. (Luke 1-2 )  Just as the gift of a savior has been given to you, let Karen guide you towards a path for you to share that gift through this season.

For more information call (913) 345-9700 or go to http://www.clctogether.org/

LOCATION: Christ Lutheran Church

11720 Nieman Road
Overland Park, KS

I’m looking for cancer patients, cancer survivors or caregivers to take my new book God is Bigger Than Your Cancer Workbook for a test run.  The book is free.  All I ask is that you complete an evaluation form so I can improve the book before it’s final printing.

Sign up now by emailing your name and email address to Karen@ktripp.com.  Specify that you’d like a free cancer workbook.  If you are leading a support group, you can ask for one for each participant. 

THANKS! Karen Tripp

You know, I like saying “yes”.  I like it when someone asks me to do something for them and I can do it.  Could be taking a friend’s child home from baseball, helping on a committee or dropping off a meal to a sick friend, the result is me feeling blessed.

 UNLESS…I’ve said “yes” too much.  Then it’s hard for me to get anything done and things slip through the cracks.  My to-do list begins to look like the impossible dream and I suddenly realize I have to say “no” to something.  I want to help everyone but that’s ridiculous.  But the problem is I never know how someone is going to react when I say “Sorry, I can’t help you.”

 This makes me think of two imaginary ladies I talk about during my Time Management Seminars named Suzy and Judy.  Somewhere, a committee is putting together a list of possible volunteers for an event.  (You know there is probably a committee out there right now putting YOUR name on a list too!) One member says, “Let’s ask Judy.  She’d be great and maybe she has the time.”  Another member says “Let’s ask Suzy.  She’d be great and she never says no.” 

 So the committee goes to Judy and says “Would you help us with this event?  You’d be great!” and Judy says “I’d love to help but I’m too busy.  But please ask me again next time.”  The committee says, “That’s OK, we understand.

 Now the committee’s disappointed but do you know what they’re thinking?  “Don’t worry, we still have Suzy and she always says ‘yes’.”   So they ask Suzy and do you know what she said?  “I’d love to help but I’m too busy.  But please ask me again next time.” She said the exact same thing that Judy said but the committee reacted VERY differently: “I can’t believe Suzy said ‘NO’!  Who does she think she is?” Why did the committee react so harshly?  Here’s glaring truth: Suzy had trained the people around her to expect her to always say “yes”.  It’s true.  It’s not right for the committee to expect less of Judy than Suzy but re-training people to have realistic expectations will take Suzy a lot of “no’s”.  It took a long time for Suzy to train people to expect too much of her and it’ll take a long time to re-train them to have realistic expectations.  Saying “no’ is harder than it looks.

 But remember this: God has a lot to accomplish on this earth through His believers but God doesn’t expect anyone to do everything.  We are just supposed to accomplish our portion.  This is one of those things I have to always remind myself: “Karen, God wants you to say “no” to some things and “yes” to others.”  Ask God to show you the paths you are suppose to walk down as well as the paths He’s left open for someone else.  Trust me, the path He has for you has PLENTY to keep you busy!!!

 For more information on Karen’s Time management seminars and other speaker topics, go to http://ktripp.com/workshops.

 Karen Tripp MS                             Speaker, Author, Counselor