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.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Day 316 of Photo Inspirations -- These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Definitely not the feet in the beach picture, but a chilly morning, wearing my cozy robe and slippers, sitting in my favorite comfy chair, with the fireplace blazing, sipping on a hot cup of coffee and having sweet, peaceful times....just me and my Father God. Such bliss.  Yes, these are a few of my favorite things.

Okay -- let's get real!  I know that scenario must look and sound like Fantasyland for you moms and dads who hit the ground running.  You do good to get your teeth brushed and your "troll" hair back to normal so you don't startle your little ones before it's rushing to get their breakfast made and their lunches packed and then hustling everyone off to school or work.  And that's all in the first 15 minutes of your day.  The day may hold your job where your fast pace continues, and/or it's a packed-full day of housework, laundry, taxi service, bills paying, meals preparing, etc.

I know that pace -- been there and done it with my kids and even my grandkids.  One day, you, too, will have earned this calmer, more stable and relaxed place of casually....getting your day going.

This quiet place is where I get some of my best inspirations.  That's where this post today comes from -- a peaceful, noise-free place.  But I know it's also possible during the times of craziness to find a secret place -- maybe a closet or even the bathroom.  Lock the door, even for 5 minutes to "chill" and listen.  God's still small voice is there to settle you down and whisper His profound love into your ears.  When you acknowledge Him at some point of your day, I promise you -- you'll recognize Him throughout your day.  Those times when you almost forgot to do something and then you recall it before it's too late or that extra ingredient in the recipe that you almost forgot to add, but didn't, or you're just pulling out of your driveway and you remembered your cell phone or book or deposit you needed to take with you.  Those are those "Thanks, God!  I know you reminded me!"

Having these little quiet times of dedicated focus on God (acknowledgeing Him) is like a divine roto rooter that clears the passageways for entry of God's voice that brings clarity into your thinking.

So whether you have a cozy spot like mine, or it's a bathroom stall at work.....go there for R & R (refilling and refocusing) on Him whose got all the answers AND the bases covered for you!

Jeremiah 29:12 "Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you."

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."