Lesson 1: Pray Big Prayers-Ask for Exactly what you want. Ralphie knew without a doubt that he wanted an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!
Lesson 2: Persistence Pays Off-Ralphie tries many ways to convince his parents that the BB gun would be the ideal gift and in the end, he gets what his heart desired. Even when people tell you that you'll shoot your eye out, don't give up! Remember, Ralphie does end up shooting his eye out in the end, BUT it isn't a disaster after all.
Lesson 3: Multiple Roads can lead to Success-Ralphie realizes that there are people in his world that are in his parents sphere of influence that may change their gift buying ideas including his teacher and of course the big man himself: Santa. When working through a problem or difficult situation, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Include multiple options and methods into the decision making because you never know which one will ultimately work.
Lesson 4: Rewards are Motivating-We can't all win lamps for a "Major Award" like the old man, but he sure was pleased with himself when he won. Whether parenting or managing a business, remember that people like to be rewarded. Provide those you are trying to motivate with rewards that are meaningful for their efforts.
Lesson 4: Rewards are Motivating-We can't all win lamps for a "Major Award" like the old man, but he sure was pleased with himself when he won. Whether parenting or managing a business, remember that people like to be rewarded. Provide those you are trying to motivate with rewards that are meaningful for their efforts.
Lesson 5: Gimmicks fizzle out-Ralphie was so excited to decode his first secret message from Annie's radio broadcast only to discover it was a thinly veiled marketing message. Don't keep your loved ones or employees hanging on with gimmicks. Be available. Follow through on what you say you are going to do. Live up to the promises you make. Under promise and over deliver in the end!!
Lesson 6: Best intentions and planning don't always work out-Remember when the Bumpus hounds from next door somehow get in and eat the turkey and the family has to go out for Chinese food on Christmas? If your best laid plans are destroyed, do something else and embrace it. That Chinese turkey turned out to be pretty memorable after all. This is definitely the hardest one for me personally. I miss my 3 boys, who live with their mom in another state, and try to make plans that sometimes don't work. I hope each year for the plans to work out better than the last, yet something always seems to happen that I didn't expect. In the end, God seems to always work it out and Christmas on the 28th or 29th of the month is just as special as if they were here on Christmas day!
Final lesson: Embrace Life-Speak words of life to those around you. Be a blessing! Make the most of every situation. Cause remember this might just be: " That Christmas would live in our memories... as the Christmas when we were introduced to Chinese turkey.
All was right with the world."
All was right with the world."
Jesus loves you and all is right with the world if He is in the center of yours! Merry Christmas!!
