I have been a grandfather for over a week! Kaylyn arrived on 11.11.13 and our lives have changed forever. Seeing my granddaughter reminds me of the important things in life- the ‘real’ things. Getting a new Ipad or Iwatch or X-box is a good thing, but it’s not real- it doesn’t last. Houses, cars, toys, etc… only give temporary happiness. Relationships with people are lasting and fulfilling. Relationship with God is forever.
Think of the last thing you really wanted and got. (Or the thing someone you love wanted and you gave).The new X-box and Playstation machines are out- I heard they sold a million PS4’s on the first day they were available. I remember wanting the original X-box. I got it and was happy….until the X-box 360 came out. I became aware of all the advantages of the ‘new’ one and could not wait until I could get one! They were hard to get- people waited in line for days to be among the first to get one. For months after they came out, stores would only get in a few, and were sold out immediately. The same was true of the Wii system. I call it ‘Cabbage Patch Marketing’. When my girls were little, the Cabbage Patch dolls were all the rage. They were very hard to get- you would hear a rumor that the local Toys R Us was going to get a shipment in, but they’d sell out in minutes after arrival. I actually remember getting a ‘lottery’ number and had to wait for my number to be drawn for the privilege of buying one! But what happens? Supply catches up with demand. Everyone eventually ends up with one, and then it’s on to the next big thing.
As the Christmas holiday approaches, let’s remember to put relationships in front of things. That X-box1 or Elmo doll or Samsung Galaxy X will not still be delighting the heart after it is received, however, building and nurturing the connections between family and friends will! The relationship between the giver and the receiver is the thing that is precious.
God bless and bless God!
