My Biggest Blessings

As I drove home from a hectic Black Friday at work, i didn't think that I could be more tired. All I wanted was to come home, grab something to drink and eat, catch up with my wife for a few minutes and go to bed. 

However, that plan quickly changed with one phone call. It was my wife telling me not to pull into the garage yet when I got home. You see, my 2 year old daughter wanted to go see the Christmas lights that some in the neighborhood had put up. Admittedly, a part of me thought "Oh man, I just want to go inside and unwind!" As I pulled in the driveway I saw, through the front door, my little girl running toward he garage. She had the biggest smile on her face as my wife carried her toward me. I opened the door and she sat in my lap and said "Daddy, wet's go see wights!"

Instantly, my heart melted. I grasped her as hard as I could without compromising her ribs or our safety as I drove! She oohed and aaahed all the way around the neighborhood. 

As we stopped to see the many inflated decorations that so gloriously (in her eyes) littered a neighborhood yard, I couldn't help but say a prayer and thank God for my little girl and the memories that we were making. All of the stress, worry, fatigue and anger that comes with working in retail around Thanksgiving dissipated immediately. It was like it all never happened! Why? Because there is more to life. I'll never have that moment back. I'll always have work to do, but I won't always have a 2 year old girl to ride in daddy's "twuck."

That's just one story. There are many more memories like that, but this one was special. It reminded me that my time with my family is special and shouldn't be taken for granted. It reminded me that children are a gift from God. I mean, Psalm 127:3 tells us "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."

I still am challenged at time with not taking those moments for granted, as is any parent in the world. But, it's the big moments that make us step back and appreciate the little ones (pardon the pun)even more! 

Remember, parents, no matter your child's age the memories are not just yours! The memories belong to your children as well! Make the most of each moment. As Chuck Swindoll, Senior Pastor at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, said "Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children!" 

Until next time, goodnight and God Bless!

- Ray