My holiday prayer

“Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?”

- Dennis Mannering

Well, the big tax agreement is in place, as is an update to the estate tax situation.

As you’ve no-doubt heard, the exemption has been set at $5million, and the rate itself is at 35%.

However, estate planning is about MUCH more than avoiding an estate tax.

But that’s a topic for a different week. Why?

Simple–through experience of sending out emails like this to clients and friends, I know that it’s highly unlikely that much will actually be *done* during this holiday week. I could write the most impassioned, effective explanation for why it’s so critical to have your estate plan properly in place… but you’d probably tune me out.

So I’m going to keep my powder dry for now … and, instead, share with you something that was sent to me earlier, and pass it to you. It inspired and challenged me…

Holiday Prayer

This was sent to me by a friend, and I thought it worth sharing … this holiday week, traveling can be chaotic, shopping even worse. Let’s all remember to keep our heads about us…

“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 slow 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.

Best to you. May your season be truly bright.