Out of My Mind

Last Sunday, Amber and I were sitting on the couch watching a professional football game. One of the commentators just went off on how much he loves Thanksgiving - really because of food and football.

He said, “I love Thanksgiving. You get to eat and watch football, and eat some more and watch football, and eat some more and take a nap. It’s like the greatest day ever. How could it get any better than that. Thanksgiving is like the greatest day ever!”

Amber was sitting there with me and laughed, “Oh that is such a man’s perspective.”

It is Thanksgiving morning as I write this, and she has gotten up, straightened up the house (I helped), prepared the turkey to roast. I prepared a smaller one to smoke on the grill. She has planned and strategically coordinated the cooking and eating schedule with her mom. It is a real science. She seems to be fine, but so far I don’ think it would be classified as the best day ever!

As for me, I am ready for a little food and football. Oh what a great day, at least from a man’s perspective. Oh ladies, don’t worry, I will help clean up the dishes.

God bless. Happy Thanksgiving!

I don’t really cry a lot, but yesterday I had tears in my eyes. On Monday, my family had some pictures taken by Tim Brown, a really good photographer and friend. So Friday morning, Amber and I sat down with Tim and Michelle (his wife) to view the pictures. He basically showed a slide show of our session from the beach complete with background music.

I can’t describe what happened as I viewed the images on the screen. It was like watching a movie starring my family. We had some of the nice posed portrait pictures, but then we had a lot of candid, fun, laughing pictures as well. It was so cool. The pictures seemed to tell a story of the life of my family, and I just began to cry. I am not quite sure why. Part of it was realizing how the time is passing by. Eli is now a teenager, growing up. Jonathan and Hannah are no longer babies. Another emotion was just gratitude - grateful for my family, grateful for life, grateful for every good thing God has allowed me to experience. Watching that slide show became a moment of worship to my God as I thanked Him with tears in my eyes.

I left that session with a full heart. I called a friend to tell him how much he meant. I wrote an email thanking someone I wanted to thank. I slowed down and enjoyed the day. I hugged my kids a little harder and let them know how much they meant to me. I watched a movie with my son Jonathan. I celebrated life and lived it as well as I could yesterday. It may all sound a little corny and emotional to you, but I find that the older I get - the more emotional I am becoming. My heart it a little softer, but it lets me appreciate life a little deeper.

How great are those moments when you really come in touch with the goodness of God, and the gift of life that he has given. Have you had any of those moments lately? Have you had any moments lately where life stood still, and you just soaked it in? If we let it, those moments can be an incredible occasion for worship! What ya think?