Every now and then I’m glad to be middle aged.  I just learned about a new affliction that my advanced years offer immunity for.  The affliction is called “Pinterstress.”  Pinterstress is defined as “the stress created from the need to always use ideas from Pinterest for parties, gatherings and everyday living.”  I have a Pinterest account and I’m often sent e-mails providing pictures and ideas they are certain I’m going to be interested in.  I don’t know who the Pinterest gurus are, but they don’t know me very well.  I feel compelled to write a blog to relieve those who are Pinterstressed and cheer on those who, like me, have been immunized.  Christmas traffic is enough stress for anyone this time of year!

Pinterest launched in 2009 and nine months later had 10,000 users.  Early in 2010, the company’s investors tried to sell the site to a magazine publishing company.  The company executive refused to take the meeting.  Pinterest is now valued at $3.8 billion.  I’m not sure which magazine executive turned down the meeting, but I’m pretty sure he or she is “Pinterstressed.”

My generation looked at magazines for ideas.  I looked forward to the Christmas issues of Southern Living, Good Housekeeping and Better Homes and Gardens.  They had pages and pages of new Christmas ideas.  Pinterest has millions.  

My generation went to friends’ homes and enjoyed what they had done to decorate.  We saw their homes looking as good as possible, considering the fact there were small children, pets and busy adults living there at the time.  Those who visit Pinterest can gain entrance to thousands upon thousands of homes, all looking their picture-perfect best for the cameras.  None of the pictures show the toddler streaking through the house or the dog with a Christmas bow and wrapping paper stuck to his face.  

My friends and I swapped recipes and bought red Solo plates for our Christmas cookie exchange.  Pinterest has hundreds of Christmas cookie tin ideas and thousands of pictures of lavishly decorated Christmas sweets.  But how can you know if they are actually worth eating?  Do they taste good, or just look good?

Young women are knocking themselves out to throw the most up to date parties, wearing the most up to date clothes and inviting friends to their up to date houses.  The problem is – they could be out of date next month.  These young people are Pinterstressed!

So…I’m sending out some sage advice from someone who has risen above the fray.  Young women . . . (and some of you older ones too!), these truths will set you free:

1. No matter how cute you look, someone else is going to be cuter, thinner and have better hair.
2. No matter how well you decorate your home, there will still be a significant amount of assorted crumbs under the sofa cushions.
3. No matter how good your meal is, everyone is going to be hungry again the next day.
4. No matter how beautiful your children appear, they will still stick their finger where it ought not go.
5. No matter how much you think about those Christmas gifts, someone will already have two of whatever you decide to buy them.
6. No matter how many times you shop, you will still forget to get a gift for somebody.
7. The dog is going to eat a gift, the cat is going to climb the tree and the kids are going to hunt down and discover a gift or two.

Don’t be Pinterstressed, stressed or anxious.  It’s Christmas.  It’s about Jesus and the fact that God so loved you – he gave you the greatest gift ever given, his Son (John 3:16).  You could look at everything on Pinterest and never find anything as wonderful as Jesus.  

Close the computer, bake something that tastes great, watch Charlie Brown and Rudolph and ignore the fact that the lights on the middle of the tree have just stopped working.  Enjoy Christmas . . . God wants you to be joyful and celebrate your salvation.  Jesus will always and forever be the ONLY perfect thing in your life.  Amen?

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