(Five Minute Friday Prompt)

My boy is the spitting image of his Daddy; in looks, mannerisms, interests and attitude. For those who know both of my guys, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

But there are a couple of things about my son that makes me recognize the fact that he also has the heart of his mama.  Kade and I love presents.  Any gift, any size, wrapped up in any way.  We love getting gifts!  Our eyes light up and a smile appears that goes from one ear to the next.  Kade and I also love giving presents.  His excitement when he hands me a handmade or a store bought item is as much of a gift as the object itself.  Presents delight my boy and I; receiving & giving gifts is definitely one of our love languages.  (For more on this I highly recommend all of “The 5 Love Languages” Books by Gary Chapman). But another one of our love languages is Quality Time. 

 In other words, Kade and I love PRESENTS, but we also love PRESENCE!  

Truthfully, don’t we all  love it when the people we’re with are present and intentional about being in the moment with us.  Looking us in the eye, really listening to the words we are speaking, asking questions that dive into the heart of our conversation. For Kade this also means time spent in each other’s presence working on a project, hunting, fishing, riding…any activity together is so much better than alone!  I have also found that  just sitting in the presence of another person is so important.  In times of my deepest grief, just having someone sitting next to me, saying nothing, offering no words or even service, just sitting and holding my hand, has been a comforting gift in and of itself. 

One thing that I think 2020 and these times of social distancing and isolation have taught us is that God wants us to see the importance of presence in one another’s lives.  Maybe we took it for granted before Covid-19 forced us all to stay at least 6 feet distant; the act of being together, the physical gift of a hug or a handshake, the joy of fellowship.  Did we lack an appreciation of presence in our day to day lives?

I know that one thing that has helped me survive the difficulties and disappointments of this past year has been focusing on just being present.  In the lives of my family, in the blessings of the moment, in the laughter of my children, the inquisitive questions of my son, the deep conversations with my daughter, the touch of my husband’s hand, the enjoyment of working by his side in the corral. Or in the way that the light begins to peek through the trees as the sun comes up in the early morning, the sound of crunching leaves and grass as I walk and the sensation of the chilly air on my face.  

And more than anything, soaking in the presence of the Lord.  Reading His word, praying to Him, worshipping Him, spending time in His creation. The words in Psalm 16:11 express this beautifully: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” I’ve learned to find the joy of not only what God has brought into my days, but also in just being in His presence.

During this season of brightly wrapped presents piled under beautifully decorated Christmas trees, let’s take the time to see the true gift of intentional presence in our lives and the lives of others.