Missed Moments #devotional by Julie Arduini

Missed Moments

Julie Arduini

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33, KJV

When our family moved 300 miles away from our hometown and everyone we knew, my mom was a recent widow. I’ll never forget the pain etched on her face as she told my husband if we completed the move it would be the same as having two deaths in a close time frame.

We made that move because we knew it was God’s plan for us. Being obedient wasn’t easy. In fact, it was one of the hardest things He has asked us to do. We promised as long as Mom was able, she would be invited to all our events, and we would be there for whatever she needed.

Like any proud Grandma, she took us for our word. One holiday stands out, Easter. Our church held a Passion Play that my husband and the kids were very involved in. Mom loved attending. That particular year, she had been part of a mentorship program at her church. The closing ceremony was Easter Sunday. That meant we were in one state scheduled for the Passion Play while Mom was in another state, completing her obligation.

She let me know that ceremony wasn’t going to stop her. She was going to join us for Easter dinner. Five hours and 300 miles away. Mathematically my husband and I couldn’t make the trip work in our heads, but she was determined.

She didn’t want to miss a moment.

True to her promise, she was at our table ready to eat Easter dinner.

I asked, “How did you make such good time? You went to church for the program and drove here all in one shot?”

She had a sheepish look as if we caught her hand in the cookie jar before dinner. Turns out yes, she did make excellent time. The police thought so as well, when they caught her speeding.

How bad was she speeding?

My mother drove eighty-eight in a fifty-five-mile zone.

The cost? Three hundred dollars, two marks I think on her license, and the inability to focus on Easter and memories because she was kicking herself for breaking the law and getting caught.

How does this have anything to do with Christmas?

Missed moments. Mom was so afraid of missing something that she actually did because she literally sped through the day.

We enter the Christmas season with great expectations. With the newest apps and reminders we’re confident we can do all the shopping, bake all the cookies, send all the cards, wrap all the presents and yet be all in, fully present for Jesus. It is all about Him, after all.

What usually happens? Gifts don’t arrive on time. Parties and concerts pop up last minute. We make additional trips to buy ingredients for cookies we’re in no mood to make. The season turns into a chore, and the celebration of Christ’s birth falls to the wayside.

Missed moments.

Sometimes the younger generation’s lingo makes sense. FOMO, Fear Of Missing Out, is a real thing. There is something about Christmas that increases personal expectations and goals. We don’t want good, we want perfect.

And we fall short.

I’ve been to events where the focus was on the theme and napkins, and the elaborate favors. Napkins end in the garbage. Themes are forgotten. Favors get misplaced. How about the memories? I remember hosting mom events where there was no agenda. We just let the kids play and we chatted. There is so much I remember about those times because I concentrated on the people, not the event.

This Christmas, don’t speed through the season in an attempt to avoid missing out. Maybe buy cookies or wait to send cards in the new year. Make time to read an Advent devotional. Pray while you drive instead of listening to a Christmas playlist you’ve heard in stores since October. Those are the moments to live for.  It’s the least we can do for that Holy Child who grew up to die for us and our sins.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Julie Arduini writes small-town romances featuring Christian surrender themes and chocolate mentions. She’s the author of the series SURRENDERING HEARTS (Anchored Hearts, Repairing Hearts, +four more). Her other romance series is SURRENDERING TIME (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged). She also co-wrote a YA/Women’s Fiction series with her daughter, SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ (You’re Beautiful, You’re Amazing, You’re Brilliant). Her stand-alone romances include MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. In 2025 she joins Leah Atwood, Robin Bayne, JoAnn Durgin, and Dawn Kinzer with the small-town romance series Dogwood Creek Matchmakers. Julie maintains a blog at juliearduini.com and Substack. She resides in Ohio with her husband and daughter. Learn more by visiting her at http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini.