Years ago, when my children were very young, my family visited my Aunt and Uncle’s house for Christmas.
My Aunt and Uncle have always been great with children. This particular time, my kids happened to find some styrofoam around the packaging of one of the opened Christmas gifts. Without my wife and I noticing, our children began to make a mess.
When we realized it, we apologized and started to help our kids clean up the mess. But my Aunt and Uncle had a better perspective. In fact, my Uncle helped them make more of a mess.
My Uncle and the kids pretended it was snowing inside the house. There were small bits of styrofoam all over the carpet. The kids were covered in white and having the time of their lives. It was quite a scene.
Years later, our kids still talk about how much fun they had that morning.
As relatively new parents, my wife and I were worried about the mess. But somehow, my Aunt and Uncle knew moments of delight turn into memories that last. We were focused on the debris that would have to be cleaned up, but my Aunt and Uncle were focused on the elation each child was demonstrating.
Make sure you find wonder in the moments. Don’t let worry and stress overshadow the blessings in the present. God is always at work.
Most mistakes won’t derail you. Many circumstances we view as messes, can be seen in a different light. Best of all, God’s grace can make things right, even if the mess is overwhelming.
There will be big messes in life. There are times to be focused on the aftermath. But, those times are rare.
Don’t miss the wonder in the moment, it may turn into a lasting, joy-filled memory.
Celebrate the moment.
Let it snow.
-Tom Wise
