On this Thanksgiving week, what does a mimosa tree, a tire swing, an old out building, bunches of tools, a hard hat, Hee Haw, and fried potatoes have to do with each other? These things are all connected in a four-year old’s mind with the help of a picture or two and passed-down stories of memories. It’s the best I can do 45 years after the death of my Pappy on this day in 1975.
Of course pictures help me remember the house, the people, and a sense of the events, but what I remember most is daily life. The memories reside in the shadows of my mind still 45 years later. What memories? Not of the grandiose, grandeur, or excitement of far-away trips or extravagant living. Rather, the evening meal around a table, the smell, the look of the table with its dishes, silverware, table cloth, and food, as well as the sense of family, and in those evenings either Hee Haw or nightly news playing on the black and white television.
I wish I could remember more. However, at a seemingly early age according to today’s standards, sickness took my Pappy from my grandma, mom, her siblings, and the rest of us so many years ago today.
On this Thanksgiving week though, this is the important take-away for all of us: daily moments matter.
Daily Moments
Life is literally full of the simple, mundane daily moments. They come and go unannounced. Without a calculator, there are too many of these to count. In fact, there are so many daily moments that they slip by unnoticed until they are gone. What was there that you enjoyed no longer is. The thing or person or events you could count on as part of the daily life routine vanishes as part of the daily moments of life.
I read a post this past week on social media where a relative talked about cleaning the smudges over her doors because the kids are getting so much bigger. She told me in private conversation how she cherished them. I thought to myself, Yes! What used to be smudges all over the doors and windows slowly works its way up the door to where there are none. What used to be frustrating to clean in the daily moments of life are now gone. You are left with clean doors and windows and mere memories.
As I write, I do so through teary eyes because I realize that this is life. Days are long but years are short.
Take Every Opportunity
Friends, that is why in the crazy year we call 2020 and in this Thanksgiving week, we need to take every opportunity to capture these daily moments for the glory of God and the good of those around us. These moments are fleeting. They disappear only into our memories to never be lived again.
You may be thinking, “I don’t want to every remember 2020 again.” If that’s you, I get it. This year has been tough on all of us – and possibly much, much harder on you than me.
But even in the toughness of this year, we must wrestle appreciation for these daily moments away from the pressures of our times. These pressures can’t be allowed to steal from us the joy of people, living, making memories, and the mundane. Your own joy and sanity are worth far more to you than being drawn away and distracted by viruses, politicians, and mandates. If we are not careful, we will squander these beautiful yet fleeting daily moments.
This week many of us across this beautiful land have changed, are changing, or fear changing our plans. We maneuver through mandates, recommendations, concern, and real-time events. Time-honored traditions have been interrupted, transitioned, or otherwise cancelled. This is life.
The Best Memories Are Made in the Mundane
Regardless of where you are, whoever you are with, whatever you are doing, or whatever has changed away from typical, take advantage of the daily moments you do have. It is in these where memories are made. As these days transition from real-time daily moments to memories, you do not want to have missed the beauty of them or the beauty in them.
I think of the story in Luke 10 of Mary and Martha. We of course can compliment the goals of both women. Martha busied herself working hard to serve those around her. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus trying to learn and take everything in from Him. Martha got upset and asked Jesus to have Mary help her. Notice Jesus’ reply:
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Allow me to make an important implication here. Jesus pointed out that Mary was getting all she could get from her time with Him because He was on His way to Jerusalem and would soon die on the cross to pay for our sins. She was taking advantage of the moment. Martha was instead distracted with much serving.
Did someone need to serve? Absolutely. Martha did not do anything wrong in serving. She did however let the importance of capturing that daily moment with Jesus slip by without her noticing it. She missed the main thing for an important thing.
Make Your Memories Today in the Mundane
Some day in the future you will remember back to these days. When you do, I’m encouraging you to not regret your time. Do not miss the importance of this moment. As you go about doing your thing, take a moment to notice the people, the smells, the smiles, the tastes, the colors, the decorations, the touches, and the rest of those things packed into today’s moments. They are fleeting. Paul says to live wisely taking advantage of every moment (cf., Eph 5:15-18).
Forty-five years later I’m grateful for memories of Hee Haw, fried potatoes, swings, hardwood floors, a hallway furnace, under-the-stairs closet, a hard hat, a corner stool, and so many more small details of daily moments that have passed. Plus the people, the smiles, the smells, and the tastes. Moments that were no doubt hard in their own way for my parents, grandparents, and others; yet, now memories for all of us.
Today, grasp the significance of the mundane. Take it in. Seek to capture these moments. Although today may seem long and 2020 seem even longer, the reality is that these days too move quickly. In forty-five years either you will have the memories or someone else will remember you. Either way, you do not want the day to slip by and miss it.
Pappy with some grandchildren and great grandchildren shortly before his death
Pappy and Grandma in their earlier years
My Pappy, Grandma, and Uncle in 1943
Image Credit Johnny Cohen
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together