Today I saw me

While walking through the mall today, I saw me. I didn’t immediately recognize myself, but after watching for a couple of minutes, I knew it was me. As she corralled her small children through the mall, the stressed face and forced smile, combined with a “we need to go so I can get some things done” look were a dead give-away. At her children’s insistence, she let them ride one of those animals that you put coins in and it goes up and down. They were having a blast! She wasn’t. She looked like –“Oh! I need to stop and do this real quick so they’ll remember a happy childhood.”

Next to her was a different kind of mom. A relaxed smile was on her face as she watched her children ride. Instead of stress, she exuded a look of, “I wish I could fit on this elephant with them so we could ride together!” No “to do” list was hanging out of her purse or at the forefront of her mind. She was in the moment, and she was not letting stress take over her life.

Even though my children are no longer riding the rocking elephant at the mall, there are always stressors and “to do” lists in my life. One thing the Bible teaches us, though, is we were not meant to be stressed. During this Christmas season, we can be tempted to become anxious about getting everything done — the gifts, the decorations, the cards.

Starting your day with a simple prayer can help you focus on being in the moment. “God help me today to focus on you so my priorities will be yours.”

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3