During this Christmas season, let’s take time to recognize and enjoy the perfect moments. Recently I watched my 3 year-old nephew Benjamin for a few hours. It didn’t matter to us what we chose to do, as long as we were doing it together. We made Play-Doh cookies, fought imaginary lions, and build a fort under the dining room table. Laying under the table reading the same book over and over was my personal favorite. There were blankets to cover the chairs, a ‘secret’ entrance, and pillows and blankets to make our space cozy. There wasn’t much room under that table, so we snuggled close as we read. What do you call that time together? A perfect moment.
The Christmas story itself is filled with moments to remember. Luke 2:6-7, “And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger…” What do you call that special night? A perfect moment. Then an angel makes an appearance. “… I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'” (Luke 2:10-11) What do you call the time when the angel shows up? A perfect moment. “Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.’” (Luke 2:13-14) What do you call seeing a gathering of angels? A perfect moment. In this season of miracles, hope, and light, let’s never forget the perfection of the Christmas story. And as we celebrate the season with family and friends, let’s remember to cherish the perfect moments in each and every day.
I’m thankful for family. I’m thankful for the sense of belonging, for the closeness, and for the coming together in tough times. My family lost someone we love this week: a loving husband, a great father, and a fun filled grandpa. It’s not easy to say goodbye. It helps to remember the times we spent together and the many ways he made life enjoyable. My dad was always teasing us, playing little jokes, saying outrageous things to get a reaction. He had a great sense of humor and was able to laugh at almost anything. We loved him for that. Mere words could never capture the essence of my dad, but he was someone I admired, someone I loved, and is someone I will miss dearly. I’m thankful for the time we had together.
I’m thankful I live in a small town. Most of the people in a small town will never make the national news, but that doesn’t stop them from making a difference in the lives of the people around them. By leading with their hearts, they change their corner of the world. Recently, there was a family who lost their home and possessions to a house fire. The school district came together and donated appliances, furniture, household items, and bags and bags filled with clothes for all members of the family. Another town put together a Thanksgiving food bank for those who couldn’t afford to make that dinner for their families. Many churches are packing Christmas shoeboxes full of presents to be sent to needy children around the world. High school students are collecting items for the Ronald McDonald House, and middle school students are collecting canned goods for a local food bank. The list of giving goes on and on.
I’m thankful for the beauty in nature. Psalm 96:11-12 says, “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” That’s a great idea-to celebrate God’s creation. I’ve been blessed to travel to a number of amazing places in the United States and it’s impossible to pinpoint a favorite. Northern California with its vistas overlooking the sparkling waters of the Pacific, Lake Tahoe’s mountain views surrounded by gigantic pine trees, and the majestic mountains of Yosemite National Park are breathtaking. Seeing waterfalls flow down a river in Virginia, watching a sunrise fill the Grand Canyon, and hiking in the Green Mountains of Vermont are awe-inspiring. The list goes on and on and in each is seen the handiwork of God.
I’m thankful for weekends. I have a great job that I enjoy and get incredible satisfaction from doing, but there’s something to be said for a little ‘downtime’. The weekend may bring time with family, time with friends, or time with the washer and dryer. It could be filled with errands or filled with chores at home. But there’s a particular part of the weekend I always look forward to: the time of rest. Weekdays have meetings, deadlines, and demands, but the weekend-that’s the time to breathe. On the weekend I’m hooked up to a battery charger; the downtime gives me the energy to start another week. I’m grateful for time off and a little rest.
I’m thankful for children. I’m thankful for the innocent way they look at life, and their excitement in every little thing. Recently I took my nephews for a walk through the woods on a perfect fall day. As we entered the woods with the canopy of trees overhead and the path an array of color from the fallen leaves, I heard, “I really love this place. It’s beautiful.” Indeed it was. Everything we saw caused wonder: a few small acorns that the squirrels missed, small stones to throw in the water, fallen trees to try to walk on, and big sticks to carry. Joy, wonder, and anticipation of the next adventure are seen through the eyes of a child.
I’m thankful for music. I’m thankful that one song can magically lift your spirits and change your entire outlook in an instant. One of my favorite memories is of my mom, my niece Savana, and I in the car singing together. We’d sing at the top of our lungs, then erupt in fits of laughter. Suffice it to say we’re not expecting to win any voice competitions but we’d get points for high energy and strong teamwork. My niece Taylor and I have a song too. When it comes on the radio our eyes light up and we jump right into the lyrics. Personally, I think we’d make great back-up singers, because we even have a few moves to compliment the song. My nephew Benjamin loves to dance, so we’ve ‘busted a few moves’ together. Ben can’t help it, his little body just starts wiggling when he hears a song. It’s a proven fact, our joy increases when we hear music.
Last year I went through what I’ll call my personal health crisis. I had a back injury that kept me ‘surviving but not thriving.’ It’s hard to think about the times when I couldn’t drive, when sitting in a chair wasn’t an option, or when the pain was at its worst and I just cried. But here’s the thing, even in the middle of this dark time, there was light. I saw it in the faces of people who wanted to help. My mom came and cleaned my house and took me to get groceries every week. Numerous friends called, emailed, and sent cards. Some friends and family stopped by for a visit and brought dinner. A variety of people were kind enough to mow my lawn and one couple just took the job over completely. And for them it wasn’t just mowing: Tom cleaned out my gutters (that doesn’t even get done when I’m healthy!), and Marilyn did numerous things around the house to make my life easier. I will be forever grateful for having such loving and caring people in my life.