Janet's Annual Holiday Prayer

In this holiday season full of conflict and impeachment, I'm ever more encouraged to see outside of my own situation, and practice empathy for those around me.

And as the years go along, I'm increasingly aware of how this holiday season is a time of joy for many, as well as a time of pain for a significant portion of our fellow travelers as well.

Missing loved ones, loneliness, and pain can sometimes be the most prominent decorations of this season, and if that's the case for you, know that you are not alone, and that you are loved and appreciated. And not just by us here at Team Behm, but undoubtedly by more people than you could possibly imagine. THAT is the bottom line, real world truth, whether you believe it or not right now.

And, while I often write about important business, financial, and tax-related matters in this, my weekly blog, I thought I'd share with you my annual prayer for the holidays.

It's worth printing and clipping near your monitor, so you can remember it, even beyond this week. I can't take credit for its authorship, and I don't honestly remember where I got it.

But it's good.

So, I'll save the tax and financial stuff for another time. In the meantime, join me ... here:

Janet Behm's Annual Holiday Prayer

"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering." -St. Augustine

"God, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

"Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

"Remind us, Lord, that the scary-looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares...

"Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

"Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Amen."

I'm grateful for our chance to serve you and your business through this blog -- and we are dedicated to its success, in every measure.

Warmly,

Janet Behm