Nailed it! or maybe not?
Nailed it! There is a funny cooking show, where less than professional bakers try to duplicate a complex sweet treat carried out by experts in the field. In this show, you can count on hilarious disasters every time.
I’m pretty sure this pre-made gingerbread house was not designed to be complex. But let me tell you, we failed before I even turned back around with the instructions.
Or did we?
If the purpose was to replicate the perfect gingerbread houses displayed on the boxes, we definitely failed. If the purpose was to create a fun family moment that everyone would remember, then we succeeded.
I submit to you that maybe perfect expectations are silly. Living our lives with the correct priorities is infinitely more important. If we prioritize correctly and put our efforts into things with lasting value, like strengthening the bond of siblings and parent relationships. We win even when life is a silly mess.
In Colossians, it says, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (3:14-17, ESV)
So maybe giving thanks to God for all that Jesus has given us, and living in the present is an important endeavor. And in fact, is pleasing to God.
With this new perspective, I know we nailed it!
Prayer for you and me: Lord Jesus, help us drop unrealistic expectations of a perfect Christmas. Help us remember to put on love so that in every action we demonstrate Your faithful and peaceful spirit to others. Grant us the peace to live in the present in Your presence all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.