Holiday Priorities

I’m not sure who compiled the list above, but it seems like a great one to be reminded of often during the Christmas Season.

What a joy to be able to spend time with family during the week of Thanksgiving.  With kids and grandkids here, I knew it would be full of special times.  In addition, on Thanksgiving Day we were able to visit with some relatives we see just a few times a year, so I wanted to spend my time wisely.  For lunch, we were with over 40 people on Larry’s side of the family in Kingwood.  There were 5 generations represented, with the newest member being 2½ months old.  Thanksgiving afternoon, we went to Pasadena to spend time with some of my side of the family.  There were 13 adults and 8 kids, 5 and under, representing four generations, from 4 months to 85 years.  Three little ones were born into the family this year.  It was definitely a day of gratitude for God’s sweet blessings of family.

Times like these help me recognize what I choose to be my priorities.  Last week it didn’t matter that I didn’t read the newspaper two days in a row or wash the dishes and clean the kitchen right after a meal every time.  Ten years from now, that will not matter.  But it will be important that there was time for lemons to be picked, books to be read, songs to sing, conversations to enjoy, hugs to be given, pictures to paint, toys to be played with, a tree to decorate (and yes there are a lot of ornaments down low), lots of stories and conversations to be listened to, meals to be eaten, prayers to be prayed, typing to be done on the computer, kids to hold, and that we took time to share with others.  The cell phone stayed out of sight.  Because in ten years it will matter that our grandkids, kids, family, and friends know that they are important to us and that they are loved and treasured.

“Lord, please teach me to be wise about the ways I choose to spend my time and be intentional about the choices I make every day.”

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9