Have you ever stopped to evaluate your life? Not just your job or your home or your possessions, but your LIFE? What is precious to you? Your automobile, your furniture, your paycheck, your retirement account? What really, really matters to you? Well, if you started listing what was important to you, you’d probably soon find that the real question is not “what” buy “who”. Who is precious to you? Your spouse, your children, your grand-children? Perhaps a friend, or another relative? Maybe a person in your church or synagogue? Well, no matter “who” it is, you need to tell them how much you care about them. You need to find them, and put your arms around them, and remind them of just how special they are. You need to do this today.
Why all this kind of talk? Well, my mom is going to turn 50 at the end of December and my sister and I are going to throw her a surprise birthday party. And guess what…If it were not for my mom’s party, I would already be debt free. See, I have been saving for this party since I started this journey, and I refused to dip into those funds, even when I missed my first deadline. I have never mentioned this side account, because it is so special. It is so important. See, my mom and I had a very difficult relationship for the first 19 years of my life. We fought, fought, and fought some more. In fact, there were times in my life where I am sure that we both wished that the other would just go away, and never return. We said things to each other that I am ashamed even to think about today. But guess what? When I was 19, I became a Christian, and God radically changed me and my relationship with my mom. Now, I know that some of you may not understand this… But I have waited almost 12 years to do something to show my mom how much I love her. See, as much as I would love to be debt free, I love my mom even more. God restored our relationship, and we talk on the phone 2 or 3 times a day. She is not just my mom, she is my champion and my friend. My dad and I have always been close, and they have always been close to each other, but there was this “thing” between my mom and I, were we never “clicked”. God changed all of that. There are those who doubt his ability, and say that he doesn’t do miracles anymore. Well, I am about to throw my mom a birthday party, and I am going to do it up big-time, and I am more excited about this party than anything I have done in a long, long time. So, remember. Finances are important…But people are more important. Go tell the people in your life that you love them. Make peace with your enemies. Know Christ, love Him, and accept His grace. You will find joy and hope. Merry Christmas…