Have you ever looked at your holiday to-do list and wondered how you're possibly going to get it all done? The meals. The decorating. The gatherings. The family traditions. All those little details we want to make special.
And somewhere along the way, what was supposed to be a joyful season starts feeling like another list of things we have to accomplish.
Sound familiar? I'm with you, friend. Let's chat, shall we?
I love making memories with my family. The kitchen is my oasis, so naturally, many of our memories are built around food. I love baking, preparing special meals, and creating moments that bring everyone together. But over the last five years, my physical limitations have changed what those moments look like. (Honestly, this is hard for me to write...)
Sometimes, I miss the simplest things. Standing in the kitchen baking pumpkin muffins. Preparing a favorite meal and watching everyone's eyes roll with delight after that first bite. You know, the "Oh my word Mom, this is soooo good!" kind of reaction!
Or things like getting in the car to run an errand or browse around Hobby Lobby. Saying yes to a spontaneous invitation to Nautical Bowl and hanging out with a friend without calculating what it might cost my body tomorrow.
And while I've learned to adapt, that doesn't mean I don't sometimes grieve what I can no longer do. Perhaps you understand that feeling, too.
Maybe your limitations aren't physical. Maybe you're navigating grief, financial pressures, a demanding season of motherhood, or simply feeling stretched too thin. Whatever your circumstances, there's something I want you to remember.
Your capacity may change, but your ability to create meaningful moments hasn't disappeared.
I've come to realize that meaningful moments don't always require elaborate plans or perfectly executed traditions.
Over the last week, for me meaningful moments looked like the beginning of new, imperfect traditions with my kids.
I turned my bedroom into our living room! I watched an episode of a series with my 16-year-old, a few episodes of a different series with my 21-year old son, and a few more of another with my 13-year-old. My 18-year-old is quite busy with work and school, but he loves to stop in my room to share his gym stories with me, and I love seeing his excitement.
I turned my bedroom into our living room! I watched an episode of a series with my 16-year-old, a few episodes of a different series with my 21-year old son, and a few more of another with my 13-year-old. My 18-year-old is quite busy with work and school, but he loves to stop in my room to share his gym stories with me, and I love seeing his excitement.
My youngest girl made a buffet of snacks, and we binge-watched our favorite series. And my sweet girl away at college? One night, we FaceTimed and watched our series together across the miles with snacks, almost as if she were sitting right beside me.
(yes, you calculated correctly - 6 kids, 4 boys and 2 girls)
Different moments. Different ways of connecting. None of them elaborate or perfectly planned. But every one of them meaningful. Those moments may never make it onto a holiday checklist, but they matter--to me.
And here's something worth considering: Are we so busy trying to create meaningful moments that we're missing the ones already happening around us? I wonder how often we measure a successful holiday by everything we accomplished rather than the love we shared.
As Thanksgiving approaches, maybe this is the year to do something differently. Here are some ideas:
- Buy the pie instead of baking it
- Order some side dishes from your favorite spot
- Make semi homemade dishes instead of everything from scratch
- Use paper goods for faster clean up
- Let someone else host
- Choose one favorite tradition instead of trying to keep them
- Simply make room to sit, laugh, listen, and enjoy the people God has placed in your life
Simplifying doesn't mean you care less. Sometimes, it means you're making room for what matters more.
You don't have to do it all to make it meaningful.
And friend, neither do I.
JOY-FUELED COACHING TIP
Meaningful moments don't require perfect plans, endless energy, or a completed to-do list. Sometimes, the greatest gift you can give someone is your presence.
Choose ONE holiday expectation you can simplify or release this week. Then identify ONE meaningful moment you want to make room for instead.
Remember, you're not doing less because you care less. You're making room for what matters most.
SCRIPTURE TO HOLD FOR JOY
Luke 10:41–42 (NLT)
“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about.’”
I love how Jesus reminds Martha that being consumed by all the preparations can distract us from what matters most. This is my permission slip to sit as His feet and share moments that matter with others.
JOY FOR THE JOURNEY
A meaningful life isn't measured by how much you accomplish, but by the love you make room to share.
LET'S JOURNEY TOGETHER WITH JOY
If you're learning to simplify your days, embrace your current capacity, and find joy in what matters most, you don't have to figure it all out alone.
Explore my Joy-Fueled Lifestyle Hub for practical encouragement, subscribe to Tip Tuesday for simple weekly mindset and wellness tips, or discover how Christ-centered coaching can help you create a life filled with purpose and JOY.
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