Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Cherish the Moments


A few days ago, a friend of mine said, "It's never as good as you expect." I asked her what she meant and she explained that things(holiday celebrations) weren't what she'd imagined and she couldn't help but be disappointed.

We all have expectations about special celebrations or holidays. Christmas is the one we pin our highest hopes. When it's not as perfect as we'd imagined we're deflated and disappointment.

When we allow our imaginations freedom to roam, movies run through our minds and we almost believe life can be perfect. Of course that's not true, but it doesn't change our hope for perfection. Instead, we need to watch for moments of "perfection".

During the Christmas holidays we imagine carolers (in perfect key), games full of fun, well mannered children and families who never disagree. There will be a stunning tree and the house will be in perfect order. Instead, there are crowded streets and crowded stores, dirty diapers and sick children. Our lives are more about finding the perfect gift instead of the greatest gift--our Lord. Celebrations are dismantled.

Nevertheless, in the midst of the chaos there are precious moments--the joy on a child's face (like when our great neice, Laila, meets a dog named Tex), a hug from a loved one, a card with a heartwarming message, or the laughter of a child.

If we look closely, we'll see the true gifts of the season. They flit by in a moment, but they can warm our hearts and minds for a lifetime. Enjoy every one of them.

Grace and peace to you. And a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bonnie

6 comments:

  1. merry CHRISTmas

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  2. Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!
    Rebecca

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  3. Merry Christmas Rebecca!

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  4. Our sons weren't going to be home for long over Christmas, so we ended up planning a family meal at a restaurant at the airport. It was so much better than anyone expected, to see the guys laughing together after so long apart. It was wonderful.

    Hope you've had a wonderful Christmas.

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  5. Sheila, so happy that worked out well for you and your family. The place we meet doesn't really matter, does it--it's the love.

    Hugs.

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