As I drove down Bullard Avenue today, going about 50 miles per hour, a jaywalker sauntered into my lane. I started to brake and thought, get out of the way you idiot! He finally picked up his pace when he realized there was heavy traffic headed right for him.

I don’t know what happens during the Christmas season. It seems to bring out the worst in people—especially me. I lose my patience, I want beautiful clothes and jewelry I can’t afford, and my attitude is mainly about me. I have to fight against this all December. No one ever claimed that being a Christian was easy!

In Luke 14:27, Jesus said, “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Fighting my own predilections and desires are my cross and sometimes it is damn heavy.

There are days that I want to throw Christianity out the window and just think about myself and my family. But then I think about my life before Christ and my life after Christ, and I definitely choose the latter.

We all carry a cross, but we don’t have to carry it alone. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This month in particular I need to remember these wise words. I need rest for my soul. If I have that, then I don’t need anything else. And the next time I see a jaywalker in my path, I’ll be a little more patient and humble.