Learning to Treasure

Random moments... beautiful pictures... all reminders of the blessings in the pictures and behind the camera... learning to stop and treasure. photo credit A to V images

Treasuring or missing

I was pulling Abby's shirt over her head as I got her ready for school when she leaned in for an unprompted kiss. Because it doesn't happen very often it snapped me out of my autopilot mode, and a deep sense of gratitude washed over me.

Millie took my hand after finishing up breakfast and said, "Mom, I want to cuddle you on the couch."
Without a moment's hesitation, I stopped to Be still with my sweet baby.

I wonder if these were rare moments or if I usually miss them in the "busyness" of my days? How can I slow down enough to tuck these treasures into my heart like Mary (the mother of Jesus)?

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

I've read that line more than a dozen times, but it oddly stuck this time. I desperately want to "get" Christmas but have no idea how to set aside this season to focus on the Lord when the "holiday" keeps taking over? Where is the line between obligations that heap unnecessary burdens and embracing opportunities to show love and worship more fully? How do I add to my already full schedule and still treasure?

A dental appointment turned sweet on this day with some encouragement from people there... treasuring in the midst of hard moments too.

Tug of War

Whenever I don't know what to do next, the answer is always taking a step closer to HIM and listening. This season is an opportunity to practice hearing HIS voice among the blinking lights and myriad of more intense distractions.

It feels like a tug of war between the manger and Santa with my heart in the middle. I keep thinking it's my actions that matter, but it's actually a fight for my heart. It's not exactly a good versus evil routine. How much easier it would be if there were labeled boxes of "good things" to take out and another for "bad things" to put away, and voila' I'd do Christmas right! Unfortunately, taking Santa out of Christmas or pulling down the Christmas tree won't change my heart any more than having a bigger nativity in my yard or better bible verse on my Christmas card does. There is no simple formula for us to follow to set our hearts on Jesus during Christmas.

We want our actions to define our hearts when it's our hearts that define our actions. Sometimes I  may need to physically take Santa down because he's clouding my view, but it's only a temporary fix for the symptom of an ill-focused heart. This is hard. So very, very hard because there is so much about Christmas that is worshipful and good; but it is not all beneficial.

My dear cousin spent Thanksgiving with us... A Reminder to "choose people" in life because they matter the most. She could've done a thousand other things for this holiday but instead chose to spend it with us... Learning to stop and treasure 

Please give me the formula to follow

Once again I need to sit with open hands and open heart. In the quiet of the twinkling lights and turn my heart to the only one who can "order my days". I really want to love the people in my life well, but how can I do it without letting the holiday overshadow the hope of all mankind coming to provide a way to spend eternity with HIM? Just typing that sentence makes my struggle seem ridiculous! Seriously, how can I let Holiday trump Savior of the world?

But what does this look like practically?

It's not about giving less but giving better or even more. It's about stopping to see those around us and meeting needs of the heart rather than throwing money in the air hoping it falls where it should go. It's about smiling at the guy ringing the bell and letting my kids put money in the red bucket rather than avoiding eye contact and hurrying by.

This tree causes me to ponder and treasure because it was a gift from a fellow mom who had a child in the hospital during my time there with Millie. She lived locally and couldn't bear the thought of me not having a Christmas tree up that year. She walked in one day before Christmas with this for me... treasuring friends for seasons.

It's not about working in the soup kitchen Christmas Day versus buying gifts for every family member but choosing where I put my time and money. It's about knowing God is just as happy with me cuddling up on the couch reading advent stories to my girls as he is when I'm volunteering to wrap gifts for a cause.

Sometimes my heart may be stingy and I need to spend money on EVERYONE until I realize it's HIS money and not mine. At other times, money may be plentiful and HE may call me to give the gift of my time to an aging grandparent or lonely neighbor when it would be much easier to drop off a gift basket than to stay and visit or keep a regular invitation to do so.

It's just so much easier to follow a to-do list for "righteous living" than to follow a Savior with my heart every single day. She who is the most worn out after Christmas is not the most righteous. Martha busied herself doing good things while her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus' feet. Jesus said Mary chose better (Luke 10). The one who buys the most or best gifts doesn't win any more than the one who buys no gifts and gives all to charity. Foregoing all gift giving is no more righteous than going broke buying too much.

He doesn't intend for us to live by a book of laws and regulations with a step-by-step plan. The Bible continually moves our focus from what we do to why we do it (Matthew).

A heart change is necessary to treasure

I want to be like Mary this Christmas and treasure up all these things in my heart without a side of guilt from unreasonable expectations... mine and others.

My body may turn from side to side, but my heart needs to remain steady, anchored, and focused on the hope wrapped up in the baby lying in that manger. I need my heart to steer my body because my body cannot lead my heart. 

We are all called to different places, physically and financially. Being faithful to those people, places, and activities is how each best answers the call of this season. I cannot look at what my neighbor is doing and compare because The Lord doesn't' lay out their calling for me to view and reproduce in my life. He has a unique path for me that I must follow.

I am simply to be faithful to hear HIS voice, do what HE says, and encourage others to do so as well. This will help me to let go of judging others and release me to only please "an audience of one" I should be focusing on.

Abby's love has never been cheap. We've waited many years to have her express it in any way. I thought I needed it to be verbal, but these moments still take my breath away... she loves her daddy... treasuring family love. photo credit A to V images

A prayer for us

May we all take a step closer to Jesus this Christmas to find HIS voice among the carols and the Greatest gift in the midst of the presents. May we set our eyes on HIM and tune our ears to hear the story HE's been weaving since the beginning of time. I will pray this prayer for you and appreciate if you'd do the same for me.

This moment in this place matters. Time spent with HIM is never wasted. Let's give it a try and waste time on Jesus this Christmas!