The Holiday Season brings so many emotions for me. Sometimes, I feel like my mind is in the midst of a whirlwind. I have many pleasant feelings and lots of stressful feelings, too. Fortunately, the pleasant thoughts far outweigh the bad. Some of the most pleasant thoughts are about family. We have traditions that have been kept year after year but have evolved over time. I have memories from when I was a child to the ones I have as a grandparent. Each one makes me smile.
One of the traditions we have was revisited once again. Our family has made an annual trip to Meadow, NC, since 2004. If you do not know, there is a wonderful restaurant there and a beautiful array of lights. We always try to go to Meadow Restaurant where I always eat more than I should. There is a buffet of great food as well as a buffet of decadent desserts. You can probably guess what is my favorite. I actually did pretty well this time, although I did give in and eat a slice of chocolate cake with ice cream. I thought I was doing well to eat just one of the desserts.
Afterwards, we went to Meadow Lights. There is a candy store, a carousel, and a train that carries you on a path with Christmas light figures. As I admired the arrangements and the children’s sense of awe, especially the youngest one in the bunch, it brought a smile to my face. Remi is almost one, and he is our first great-grandchild. His joy was contagious as he saw the menagerie of lights for the first time.
I looked at the different family members who could make it, and as I looked at my husband, my eyes gazed toward the stars behind him. My thoughts went to my heavenly Father. As I held back the tears, I thought, Lord, help me to redeem the time. There is so much I feel you need me to do, and so many blessings you have given me, I want to be sure I am doing what you want me to do with each minute of each day. My husband and I are growing older, and time is growing short.
My mind was a floodgate. So many things went across my brain. My thoughts varied from major concerns to small desires. Some are very private, and I am unable to share, but hopefully, others may minister to you as I try to express my heart.
I looked at little Remi and his great excitement. He was admiring the lights and enjoying his cousins at the same time. He was jumping in rhythm to the Christmas music with great enthusiasm. When he ate at the dinner table, there was neither a concern for the calories he was taking in nor if eating it would make him sick. Remi was carefree and having a blast.
It reminded me of the days when my children and other grandchildren were that age. All of our grandchildren rode the train when they were Remi’s age with the same reactions, pure delight, with some slight variation, of course. Our children never went on that particular train, but there was at a stage in their lives where they were carefree, but not anymore. They are parents now with adult problems and bills. However, one of their greatest concerns is the future of their children.
I must admit, that is one of my biggest concerns as well. The future of our world is scary. I look around and see the moral compass has moved so much. I think, “What can I do, Lord, to assist in making things better? How can I make our circle of influence for You to grow?” I am teaching in Sunday School, I teach at the academy, and I try to teach my family. Sometimes, they end up teaching me more than I do them.
The influence of television, the internet, and especially social media has such a hold on people it is hard to compete. Our society has become so liberal I wonder what the future holds for our churches, Christian radio, Christian schools, and other Christian organizations. But we will fight as long as we are able to fight. We must for the sake of the children.
Many of our grandchildren are shielded from the ills of this world, for now anyway. As a mother and a grandmother, I desire more time with my children and grandchildren. I am not the grandmother I had pictured. I always envisioned baking cookies and taking walks with them, but there is a silver lining. I wouldn’t trade what I have. I see most of my grandchildren at school every day, but grandma and teacher don’t always mesh very well. It saddens my heart when they do get in trouble, especially if I am the one delving out the punishment. Hopefully, they will see the Lord in their grandmother as I attempt to redeem the time in their lives.
Most of all, when I looked in the stars, I saw my husband. As he looked into my eyes, all our years together flashed before me, all of the Christmases, all the happy times, and all the struggles. I teared up as I realized our days together were growing shorter. That moment in time became so much more precious. Every moment, every Christmas, every dinner, every kiss needs to be treated as our first and our last. We may outlive those younger than ourselves. Who knows? We already have in many cases. I have lived thirty years longer than my baby brother. I must redeem the time with my husband. May we not take one moment for granted.
As you look at your family and friends today, see them for the first time. Treasure every moment you have with them. Don’t waste one day, hour, or moment. Each meal needs to be special, and each laugh and each tear needs to be one you hold close. Don’t go through your day ignoring the needs of those around you.
What is the greatest need of those around us? The greatest need of those around us relates to the baby in the manger. Our Savior and Lord came down to earth to save us from our sins. Are you sharing with the people you love most about their need for the Savior? Are you letting them know that Jesus is the one who can guide them through their struggles? Do they see Jesus in you? Can you convince them with your life? We are not promised tomorrow. What better way to redeem the time than to lead others to Christ? Do it now!
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:16.
Mrs. Worthington has five children and twelve grandchildren (and one great grandchild). She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.