Jarrod Barton’s Holiday Season Prayer

I came in to the office this morning, and I noticed that traffic is already a little lighter around town. Many of us are still working, but I have plenty of friends who have already taken time away from work, starting today.

Whatever your faith background, it’s hard to ignore the holiday clamor. In my opinion, it’s a crying shame that a season of reflection and prayer would become transformed into something so… busy. It’s almost as if we now have to rush around to purchase or artificially create these nostalgic moments, when they probably would have earlier happened on their own.

Now look — as a proud Media, PA business owner, I have no problem with people earning money during this holiday season…I just wonder when it’s time to say “enough”?

Maybe it really is the holidays, because as I’ve been meeting with clients recently, I’ve discovered that many of you are worried and stressed — about finances, family, personal circumstances, etc. It’s not my job to save the world on your behalf of course, but I do get to be somebody in your world who can encourage you to slow down, take a breather and keep your perspective on what’s really important. 

(By the way, we are still meeting with clients to help them with year-end issues, so feel free to email me or call us at (610) 285-9883 for help.)

Anyway, thanks for your friendship, and for your business in 2016, and (hopefully) in 2017.

This week’s Note is to help us all keep perspective, this week…and into next year.

Jarrod Barton’s Holiday Season 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.

Warmly,

Jarrod Barton
(610) 285-9883
Senior Tax & Advisory Services