I love snow days, we all get to sleep late, we lounge around until lunch, and then we go sledding. We have a hill not far from our house that is just big enough to get your adrenaline flowing. Snow days bring this sense of understanding what is really important in life for me. We have around 9 inches on the ground in our yard this morning, which serves as a sound barrier from the world. It is quiet this morning, almost heavenly. It reminds me of what is to come for those of us who follow Jesus Christ.
But it also reminds me that something is wrong with our interpretations of what real life is. Why isn’t family time more important? Why do we allow debt to control our lives? Why do we have so much stuff, when it is really the little things that make life worth living? Jesus made numerous statements in scripture stating the obvious answers to these questions, but we continue to choose cultural norms. Why?
I think our biggest problems is our concern over others perceptions. We don’t want to be seen as poor, or not successful. Everything we read is how to improve____________ (just fill in the blank), or how to be a successful at ___________. Sell, sell and sell some more. We have a skewed definition of success. I have read about ten other blogs this morning and everyone was about improving my life in some way, but as I sit in the quiet, writing, looking out the window at the serenity and purity that a snow storm brings, I am reminded of something that my Uncle Tom told me a couple of months before he died, “Son, the things I thought were so important weren’t important at all, and the things I took for granted were more important than anything else – live your life well.” I miss my Uncle Tom’s wisdom and love for me on days like today. My life is good this morning it doesn’t need improvement.
Have a great weekend, I am going to spend time with my wife and kids, and go sledding in the snow!
Remember what is important!
Wow Mike! You hit the nail on the head! I have been struggling this morning about my family’s perception of me in how I am handling the insurance on a recent car accident. It is small stuff, but as I started handling my way, I started hearing comments about how I’m being too compassionate, too empathetic and the like AFTER I have already gone through the proper legal and insurance channels to protect my family. Thanks – it’s a great piece of wisdom.
Thanks Michael, and thanks for your support man!
Perfect! To enjoy where we are, finding God in family moments, and stopping to have fun together – that is priority. Thank you for the reminder.
So good to hear from you Robin. It really is the little things that we must stop to recognize. You ready to write?
Thanks for the reminder Mike. Less than 2 weeks ago we moved into our “new” home in the country and have not slowed down long enough to stop & enjoy it, until yesterday that is. That’s when my wife stated that we are going to sit on the swing and watch the sunset, even if for only 2 minutes. As I sat swinging with my sweetheart, my mind began to unwind, and we started noticing things that, in all the hustle & bustle of moving, had previusly gone unoticed: the martin house made out of gords, duck houses by the pond, a row of freshly planted trees…… We were reminded of why we wanted to move here to start with- to enjoy relationships & creation-as your Uncle Tom says, the imprtant things in life.
Hope you are enjoying your new place David. Can’t wait to see you guys in March. God is good! Sledding was awesome today, but I am feeling it now.