As I write my Friday Connection article this evening, I am loving traditions. This is only the second year for this tradition, but one of my daughters came home early for Thanksgiving to help me decorate for Christmas. Yes, I decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving unapologetically.
We drank coffee, ate Monkey Bread, listened to Christmas music and decorated the whole house today. One of the things I have learned in life is to value traditions but never hold on to them too tightly. For now, I love this chance to be with one of my girls, but I also know there will be a day when she will be busy with her own family, and I will have to adjust my expectations.
I often think one of the hardest things to do as a Christian is to practice contentment like the Apostle Paul who says in Philippians 4, “I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance.” (Philippians 4:11-13). Learning to be content is a growing edge for me. I am often not content, but I know it is important, and I often pray for it. I was thinking about this early this morning and I decided I would just enjoy the day and not worry about how many more years my daughter and I will practice this new tradition.
For many years my mom and I went to the movies on Christmas night. I was single for a long time and my dad never wanted to go out on Christmas night, but we had the best time while it lasted. I loved that tradition with my mom for many years. Gary and I will head to my sisters-in-law’s house for Thanksgiving and that is another of my favorite traditions. I don’t know how long it will last, but for now I will enjoy this coming Thursday on the beach.
That is the thing about life and traditions. They constantly change. People move, kids grow up, loved ones die, people divorce, and life just keeps moving forward. I think that is why Paul’s admonition is so important. We cannot depend on life always staying the same or traditions never changing. So, the best practice is to be grateful for the traditions you have today, for the people around you this week, and the goodness you enjoy now.
Maybe that is the key to contentment, gratitude and thanksgiving. Let’s intentionally practice it this week and thank God for His continual blessings.
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