A call to simplicity. A prompt to be in the present moment, not hurrying, not manipulating.

“Every moment I live, I live bowed to something. And if I don’t see God, I’ll bow down before something else.” Ann Voskamp

My man and I were talking about what we want for this week — a focus, a goal, a meditation. It’s our first married Christmas. We’ve got two families to spend time with — lots of conversations to have, food to eat, gifts to give, memories to make. J said, “I don’t want to rush moments.” I jumped off that thought in realizing that sometimes the best days are ones that aren’t manipulated or rushed. For me to be as present as possible in helping my mom in the kitchen, or in a conversation with a brother-in-law, not worrying what time we have to be where, or what else the day holds. Presence.

I also can’t help but relate this to my relationship with God.

“God gives God. That is the gift God always ultimately gives. Because nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives God. God gives God, and we only need to slow long enough to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time: time in His Word, time in His presence, time at His feet.”

Time with.

Time with God. With my husband. With both my families.

Moments and encounters. Attention and conversation.

“Joy is a function of gratitude, and gratitude is a function of perspective. You only begin to change your life when you begin to change the way you see.”

Here’s to seeing in a new way.