What matters most…
This morning, as I was sipping my coffee out of my green Christmas mug, I looked at the presents under the tree.
A bit of alarm waved over my heart…I still had a good bit to purchase and wrap.
I took a deep breath, and then I smiled as I heard a still, small whisper to my heart..
Jill, it will be okay. If you don’t buy another gift, it will be okay. Savor those around you. That is what matters.
A couple of days ago, as I was wrapping those gifts, I decided to pray over each person who’s gift I was wrapping.
Wow! It was a game changer!
Suddenly, my weary heart was overflowing with gratitude for these precious loved ones that I get to purchase presents for!
As I addressed our Christmas cards, I did the same thing.
I prayed over each card and goodness, it just made all the difference!
My sweet daughter offered to help me address all of those cards this year…and it was a true blessing to this momma!
Growing up, my mom and dad worked hard for our family. We did not have super outrageous extravagant Christmas mornings. Oh, but it did not matter!
We had EVERYTHING!!
My parents always seemed to make our Christmas mornings magical!
Not by a million gifts under the tree, but by their smiles and excitement and JOY!
Honestly, I can only remember one present I received all of those years….a bike.
However, what I remember most is the way my parents celebrated Jesus and how much they loved us.
I can still remember the smell of Christmas at our house growing up.
My sister and I always got to sleep in the same room Christmas Eve and then wake up together on Christmas morning.
These are the special things I remember.
My mom and dad were full of excitement! They loved watching us run down the stairs to see what was under the tree.
As Christmas approaches, let us keep in mind this truth.
People will not remember the presents as much as they will remember our presence.
Our smiles. Our laughter. Our Joy. Our warmth.
Let us not get caught up in the cost of the gifts, or the perfect wrapping and bows…
Let’s focus on what truly matters…
Jesus.
His Character. His heart. His Love. His JOY!
When we let go of all of our expectations and just ask for hearts of contentment and JOY….
Everything changes.
Not just for us, but for those around us.
Let’s smile more.
Let’s be present more.
Let’s savor more.
This is what matters most.
Let us have hearts like Mary…
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19
treasuring and pondering,
jill
