Thanksgiving Presence - 11.29.19

2018-2019 has been a beautiful season in a lot of ways, but also, a really hard season. Personally, I’ve been feeling the hard a lot more recently for who knows why except that our hearts process grief and other things in their own time. This seems extremely vague except to say that this week of Thanksgiving has been even more tender, sweet, and special.  More than anything, I am thankful for the gift of presence this year, and for the people who chose to be present with me. 

Last year, Chris and I declared we would make Black Friday a part of our holiday traditions. But while we grew up hearing about how cheaply we can get what we don’t have on this day, Black Friday for us now isn’t about deals, it’s about presence. On the years Chris works (today, for example), Black Friday simply moves to the next free day, and so that’s why today I’m writing a little bit instead while I anticipate his arrival home. ❤️

Presence is being 100% ok not getting that perfect holiday post up because you were too busy having fun. Presence is sharing about life with those who ask instead of those who see it on a feed. Presence is taking time to text back or FaceTime even as you’re cleaning up the mess in the kitchen. It’s seeking new adventure, and sharing in old traditions. Presence forces us to have a foundation of trust and hope that the future will be ok because God is there and the past is nice to remember but not a place to live. It encourages us to speak the truth, to say the hard thing, the brave thing, the encouraging thing, the sad thing, the kind thing. It is a discipline and a gift. And it is what I find myself going to battle for more than anything else. 

May the gift of presence find its way into your heart today - whether you’re standing in line or lounging on the couch (🙋🏻‍♀️). May you find rest in knowing you are held by a God that loves you deeply. May it help you to speak up, reach out, listen earnestly, love deeply too. 🖤🖤🖤