Snapshots of Praise

We have something planned after church, Mom.
Don’t ask any questions.
Those words were said with a twinkle in their eyes.
Secrets at Christmas time; I’ve learned to follow their directions.

Four years ago, the secret excursion was revealed.
A large present was wrapped, tucked next to the bookshelf.
Hardly inconspicuous, it peaked my curiosity every time I walked by.
I have learned not to peek or shake packages.

The gift tag said, Mom and Dad.
After ripping the paper like a little child, a large picture frame came into view.
The word at the center of the frame spelled, Family.
Around the word were ten individual spaces for pictures of various sizes.

The spaces were filled with pictures of our children.
They had gone to a photographer to have their pictures taken.
Each wore red sweaters and jeans yet each picture captured their personality.
Every morning the picture greets me as I walk into the foyer.

Another present was wrapped next to the picture frame.
A long, rectangular mysterious present.
After unwrapping the package, my eyes welled up with tears as I saw the sign.
All Because Two People Fell In Love.

How true!
Five children the result of our love for each other.
I looked closely and saw that in two of the pictures, the sign was visible.
A more perfect gift could not have been imagined.

Until this year!
Days before Christmas, my youngest daughter and I passed each other on the road.
I didn’t remember her having anything planned for that day.
I asked the others when I got home.

She has a few errands to do, Mom.
Don’t ask any questions.
I should have known, or guessed.
But with Christmas preparations, the thought was put on the back burner of my mind.

I woke up before everyone else on Christmas morning.
I came downstairs to get our traditional breakfast started.
I came down the back stairs and walked through the kitchen.
Something caught my eye as I passed my desk.

Lying on my desk in the kitchen were all the pictures from inside my frame.
All the pieces now began to fit.
I walked into the foyer and saw the Family frame.
There, the ten spaces of various sizes were filled with new pictures.

One more precious than the next.
When were they taken?
My son’s beard was shorter, so it must have been over Thanksgiving?
How did they pull this off without me realizing it?

Four years have passed.
Four years older.
Four years of additional memories.
Four years still testifying to, All Because Two People Fell In Love.

Later, the back story was told.
Remember the day we all went out to lunch?
The “sibs lunch” they call it; a time for the five of them to catch up with each other.
We took the pictures first; it was so cold that day; you could never tell from the pictures.

Our youngest daughter is a photographer and she arranged the shots.
I imagined her setting up each one.
Finger on the clicker and running into place after she pushed the button.
All the behind the scenes stories were told.

One picture in particular touched my husband’s heart.
As a thank you to him, they each wore their college shirts.
A job well done!
Now I have new memories as I walk through the foyer.

Snapshots.
Moments in time captured by the press of a button.
Memories made in an instant but lasting a lifetime.
A lifetime of moments.

After Christmas we switch gears all too soon.
We have planners with items that must be done.
We have guests and invitations.
We have a day of rest and stillness with family and now we are ready for the next thing.

Moments.
Intentional moments.
Freeze frame.
Time stopped at the push of a button.

Make yourself stop!
Make yourself intentionally freeze!
Pause and enjoy the gift that is life!
Stop and really look at the people God has placed around you!

Make a mental inventory of your gifts this Christmas.
Not the wrapped ones!
Rather, the gifts that surround you each day.
The gifts that you walk right past.

There were so many changes in the pictures of my children.
Four years of changes; four years of growth.
Four years of loving and serving the Lord.
Four years of prayers answered and prayers that are still being prayed.

When our families are right under our noses, we can take them for granted.
We don’t see the nuance of change that is happening every day.
We just don’t notice.
Until we see four years have passed, captured in pictures lying on a desk.

We are jolted into the reality of the passing of time.
We get so used to now; we forget about then.
Now. Then. Later.
All part of God’s plan.

Freeze frame moments in your day and take notice.
Thank Him for His grace and His goodness.
Praise Him for the growth and the nuances of difference.
Praise Him for His continued presence.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-3,10,11)

Snapshots of praise and thanksgiving to our God.
Forever and ever.
Amen.