Include Presence With Your Presents
Our home has been decorated for Christmas since the day before Thanksgiving. It would be an understatement to say my wife, Lesa, loves Christmas. Even though our boys are grown, great memories of Christmas past live on through our many traditions. This includes a long list of Christmas movies where we can recite many lines along with the actors on the screen.
We enjoy the gift giving part of Christmas, however, it has taken a back seat to the time we intentionally spend with each other. Time has become more precious and our fondest memories always lead back to the times we spend together as a family.
If you want to create thriving relationships in 2012, I want to encourage you to make the time you have with people in your life count. Be fully present with your family, friends, colleagues and customers. Give them your full attention. Put the computer, Ipad and smartphone away and engage.
Lesa and I have been intentional about planning quality time with our family this season. Here are a few ways we have connected as a family.
Our boys bought Quelf and we played and laughed for an entire evening. Quelf is a fun, unpredictable game where you answer crazy questions and perform ridiculous stunts. Thereā€™s only one rule ā€“ OBEY THE CARD!
Going to see the Christmas lights takes on a new meaning when you visit the Opryland Hotel here in Nashville. They have nine acres of indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls and an indoor river. You can walk among the gardens enjoying the lights, decorated gazebos and numerous Christmas trees.
Last night, Lesa prepared her special Ziti recipe and as we finished dinner, I read the first chapter of Return to Sawyerton Springs by author Andy Andrews. I was told to read this aloud to my family without any prior preparation. The result was a heartwarming story that left us laughing until we cried. Then we watched Christmas Vacation, one of our favorites.
I pray that as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you count your blessings and approach each relationship in your life with a humble and generous heart.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Pierce
