What my kid is teaching me: Presence over presents

Imagine a den with toys strewn across the floor.

I just opened a box of toys from my kid’s first birthday because he’s drowning and now he can enjoy them and play with them as the toy makers intended.

So imagine my anticipation to see the joy on his face as I packed up his familiar toys and lined up cars and rescue vehicle models across the floor.

As my husband brought him in and put him down, he locked eyes with me. And guess what happened next. He ran straight toward me, arms out and ready to hug me with excitement all over his face.

There sat those toys all lined up.

And here I sat with a new lesson learned and arms filled with love.

What a lesson.

Often I find myself trying to give him the world.

But all he wants is me and my love.

Maybe that’s something we could all do well to remember especially as new young parents.

It’s about the steady and silly moments.

It’s about being here.

Arms open.

Ready to catch blessings and make memories together.

I hope as we gather together as families soon, we’ll be sure to run to each other first. And then enjoy gifts second.

Because some of God’s greatest blessings can’t be wrapped. Only experienced, shared and lived.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Son, our Salvation and the everyday blessings we take so for granted, including each other.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom … Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” ‭‭- Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭31‬-‭32‬, ‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬