When it comes to opening presents, I’m still a kid at heart. I remember on Christmas Eve this year, a few hours before supper, I asked my mom, “When are we eating presents?” I had meant to ask when we were eating, since we always open our presents after supper, but clearly my excitement got ahead of me.
As the moment finally came, with the days of break turning into Christmas Eve, with the morning of Christmas Eve turning into dinnertime, to dinnertime turning into all of us taking our respective spots in the living room, Hunter and I passing out presents to their designated recipients, I always will myself to just enjoy it. There’s no expectation of what I will receive, only giddiness and thankfulness for it ahead of time.
When I was focused on what I had right in front of me, I realized a glorious feeling came over me, and I wasn’t down or negative like I so easily can be. It showed me that when I’m excited about the things I do have, I’m not worried about anything else. Future desires don’t threaten my contentment or peace because there are blessings in front of me NOW that have to be enjoyed. It doesn’t matter what other people have because I’m not thinking about that. I’m focused on what is available to me now in my life.
This is a hard mentality to cultivate in a society that is constantly creating new ways for us to compare our lives to others. Since the special time with family, extra devotion to God that the holidays bring about, and opening presents, I’m trying to let that holiday joy and perspective stay with me especially because I know life is all about Jesus, and I don’t just want to celebrate Him at a certain time of the year when that should be ongoing, year-round. So should appreciating any and every gift He gives me, which most of all is Himself.
It helps to remember and reflect on how I felt at this time because it’s not even so much about the nice things I received but the greater idea that that is always how I should view life. Be purposeful and mindful about the nice things God has blessed me with, and since I know Him, there is always something to be grateful for, even when life is hard.
That is the most beautiful, amazing gift. I encourage you to take time now to stop and just be still with Him. Let Him show you what He wants to give you through His love, wisdom, and sovereignty, and let your eyes be opened to what He already has. That’s something to remember constantly, all year long.
