Christmas season is coming really fast. There are lots of parties. There are also, many who sit home, uninvited. How does that feel? It is not easy, especially when it happens all the time. What may surprise you is this happens to many people at sometime in their lives. This is not new.

The next question is what are you going to do about it. You could crash the party. Personally, I would not have the courage to do that and wouldn't. You could sit home, acknowledge the hurt and either stew in it or find something meaningful to do. Like what you say?

Who is out there that is possibly in the same boat as you? Is there anyone? I remember once I was pretty blatantly "left out", I was rolling in the self pity pretty bad. Then I got tired of it.I prayed and forgave those who had slighted me. Then I thought about the group home where I was volunteering at the time. I knew those kids love when people come play games with them. So, that is what I did. I had a blast. 

"Stinking Thinking" leads us pretty fast into a muddy ditch and leaves us there. Is that really where we want to be? If "stinking thinking" leads us there, then thinking differently leads us out. While it was the circumstance that may have helped you get there, it is the thinking that determines where we find ourselves. 

It is not easy to do that but it seems like when we keep replaying whatever wrong was done, it keeps us stuck there. The trap really is self pity and that just is not a good place to be, even if you did deserve to be invited. No doubt you feel hurt, but honestly, what are you going to do about it?

How we respond when these things happen says a lot about who we really are. My best advice is forgive and leave it. Find something meaningful to do that will be a blessing to someone else. Don't do things with the expectation of getting back. 

God is the source of love. If your heart feels short on love, ask Him to fill your heart with His love. I Corinthians 13:4-7 reminds us of the look of love lived out. It is never more noticeable then when you feel hurt and left out. Gods love is patient and kind. His love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and keeps no record of wrongs.Love never gives up. Read the whole passage and you will see what I mean. On our own living this kind of love when we don't feel like it is pretty tough. Ask Jesus to fill you with this kind of love and forgive those who have hurt you. 

Maybe throw your own party and make sure everyone is included. Have fun!