Dennis Bridges’ Prayer For The Holidays

I’m writing this on Monday morning, the 22nd, and many of our clients and friends are getting ready for a week of family and merriment, with a dash of stress thrown in.

Perhaps especially this year, it’s clear that while the holidays are a time of joy for many, they can also be a time of pain for a significant portion of my readers as well.

Missing loved ones, loneliness, and pain can sometimes feel like the real “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.

Not only by us here at Team Bridges, 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 financial and tax-related matters in this, my weekly post, 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 (though with one quick reminder thrown in to SAVE all 1095 forms you may receive from healthcare organizations! We’ll need them for your tax return).

In the meantime, join me … here:

Dennis Bridges’ Prayer For The Holidays
“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 slow 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.

Best to you. May your season be truly bright.

To your family’s financial peace over these holidays…

Warmly,

Dennis Bridges
(770) 984-8008
E. Dennis Bridges, CPA