Finding peace this Thanksgiving

There are many things threatening the peace and contentment of your thanksgiving gathering. Politics is sure to bring spicy conversation to the dinner table. Inflation still cuts into the budget. There are differences in opinion over the wars that are going on.

Beyond those who gather, many find themselves without this thanksgiving. Without family. Without a home. Without the means to put food on the table.

I pray this thanksgiving, no matter where you are, that the peace of God might cover your thanksgiving. That your heart will be made full, and maybe your belly, too.

Falling is more fun

My sons go to a gymnastics gym. They are not learning anything technical at this point, but they are learning a lot about their body and growing in coordination.

Micah is getting more brave every time we go. This previous time I joined them and was amazed to see him hop up on the balance beam. No offense to him, but when I think of Micah, “balance” is not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, there he was, traversing the beam.

But then he fell. It was a harder fall than I hoped and quickly went to pick him up. But, instead of crying, I found him laughing.

He hopped up on the balance beam again and this time, rather than attempting to cross the beam, he fell off on purpose. Again and again.

It is a reminder that there is beauty in the trying, and we can have peace in our failing. We all fall. May we have the courage to hop up and fall again.

Paper snowflakes

Always so much on my mind, so much to do, so much to achieve. It is a constant nagging in my mind, a fire in my gut. So when I walk in the door to my house, I find that I am not present with those in my home. I physically am in the room, but my mind is at work outside our four walls.

But when I opened the door I was greeted with an unexpected sight: paper snowflakes.

I remember making paper snowflakes as a child. It was a joyous and creative way to reflect the beauty of the holiday season. I could participate in creating the unmatchable uniqueness of snow falling from the sky, blanketing the earth.

But now my sons are making paper snowflakes. I was getting pictures that morning of them playing in the snow. And, out of their appreciation for God’s creation, they chose to create.

Seeing their efforts melted away the incessant drive to do more. I was reminded in that moment that, sometimes, we need to spend time to just be with the unique and beautiful people in our life. That this is my only shot at being a dad, and these boys are growing up fast.

I pray that you can set aside the busyness of your life this season and rest with the important people around you.

Happy thanksgiving!

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