Keeping My Eyes Wide Open

That’s a new resolution – to keep my eyes wide open, and for that matter, to keep my ears and my heart wide open, too. Since my granddaughter’s parents were out of town on her birthday, I wanted to be sure she was celebrated at the get-go of the day. I asked for her order for Chick-Fil-A. I was in line early and placed the order. I paid, took the bag, and was on my way. Alexia was bubbling with giddiness as I played Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” and as I set out her meal. But, oh me! They gave us a BAGEL chicken, egg and cheese sandwich instead of the BISCUIT, chicken, egg and cheese sandwich. And, I wanted her day to start so on-point. But she didn’t mind. She said it was her second favorite sandwich. But, I minded – I should have checked the bag to be sure of its contents. I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

Same day. Went to Walmart for a few groceries. Checked out and was on my way. Got home and unloaded the groceries, THEN checked the receipt and saw that the cashier charged me for 22 avocados – not the two I purchased. Oh me, again! I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

I play on a Bocce ball league in my community. Good news is we won our first two games. Since I’m the captain of our team, I’m especially proud of us. Bad news is I got a call the next day from the director of the league who had been advised that some of us didn’t have our face masks on. We were well social distanced, but that’s not what our HOA designated. “Face masks are required.” I received my correction well. But, I knew better and as the captain, I should have been a better leader. I should have kept my eyes wide-open.

The point of this blog today – “keeping our eyes wide open” aka being more intentional – more in the moment – more consciously aware of the enemy’s ploys to steal from us. It might sound a little over-the-top to say the enemy wants to steal from us when I speak about a chicken biscuit or too many avocados or carelessly not doing what’s right – but, oh, I know him well by now. The least little time stealer or joy stealer or doing what’s right stealer – is the subtle way he comes to “steal, kill and destroy” our peace and joy AND our credibility. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion (and for this post – a biscuit, avocados and a face mask), walks about, seeking whom he may devour". It's just who our enemy is -- he wants to slip us up and create loss of time, confusion in our minds, chaos in our family, deception in relationships, and it's up to us to be "on guard, vigilant, and aware of him sneaking into our lives." EYES WIDE OPEN to the enemy's tactics and EYES WIDE OPEN to God's love, protection, tender mercies, and promises. Yes, my eyes are wide open. How about yours?

These Moments Are a Few of My Favorite Things

It is isn't the money in my wallet or the car I drive or home I live in. It isn't the TV show that made me laugh or the movie I saw that inspired me. Nothing can compare with the priceless gratitude moments that represent my favorite things.

I was thrilled to have my children and grandchildren (except for my "big" grands, Braden, Ruth (who had to work) and Barrett who couldn't make it here, to my home for our traditional Thanksgiving meal and time together. I was never in a panic mode, but, thanks be to God, I was relaxed, steady, motivated and excited to prepare the "grand" meal for those I love so much. It brought so much joy to my heart for us to sit around the table and talk about all the many blessings in our lives. Indeed, these moments are a few of my favorite things.

Ryan and Shawntel stay at my home, and their boys stay at the Wallace’s home so that the cousins can hang together. I love their love for each other, though Payton, age 17 and Alexia, age 16, are the older cousins of Brennan, age 13, and Bryson, age 11. Payton plays with them like he was their age and Alexia is like a little mother to Bryson -- cuddling and loving on him. Yes, this is another of my favorite things.

Yesterday morning, Ryan, Shawntel and I sat at my dining room table – enjoying our delicious breakfast burritos that dear Neicey made for us. I realized I was sitting in a different chair than I typically sit in. I usually face my living area but, this day I sat in the opposite chair and I saw a red berry bush outside my window that I never realized was a "red berry" bush. I had a new perspective and a new little “Thank you, God!” moment. Those moments are a few of my favorite things.

The two sets of parents had their private time together. I love seeing my grown children relating and encouraging each other in such peace and harmony. This is another one of my favorite things. I took the grandchildren up to the pickle ball and bocce ball courts where they played for hours. We came back to my house and they wanted “Nana’s sippy cups (Yes, I still have the sippy cups from their younger years that they still want to drink chocolate milk out of). Alexia and Bryson wanted me to pull out my Lincoln Logs (Yes, I still keep a few of their favorite “Nana and Papa” toys). Years ago, when they were all so small, Papa insisted on getting Lincoln Logs for the grandkids that stayed at our home. He handcrafted a thin board that he painted roads and rivers on for the set up of the logs. Those memories and these moments are among my favorites things.

I’m sure you’ve read enough of my "favorite things" moments, and I think you "get my drift". We live in such motion and speed. We get up early and go to bed late and have no time to savor "the moments". Do we want our epitaph to read "She/He was always on the go -- but she/he went nowhere!" When we are clear on what matters most in our lives, life will become so meaningful and joyful. What matters most is God's sweet moments -- those heaven to earth moments.

A lot of folks talk about wanting an “experience” as if it's going to come in the future. Yet what could be a more beautiful experience than THIS moment, right now? Though their Mom and Dad had to go home yesterday, the two boys talked their Mom and Dad into letting them stay over in Frisco until Sunday night, because Ryan’s associate, who lives in Southlake (a community just miles from here) is heading to Austin and can take them home. These are all "sweet surprise" moments that represent my favorite things.

This moment right now is beautiful and marvelous, and I’m in full appreciation of it. Who knows what the next moment will bring? Who cares? I’m here now having a glorious experience in this precious moment. Indeed these moments ARE among MY FAVORITE THINGS.