Notice Your Unique Sacred Gesture This Holiday Season

My hand smoothed warm cheeks before I bent down and kissed my sons’ goodnight.

The stairs creaked as I tiptoed down them to settle comfortably in my favorite zebra fabric chair at our dining room table. I felt my body relax into writing, the keys of my laptop feeling good against my fingers. The lights flickered on the Christmas tree. Out the window, I could see more lights dancing across my neighbor’s house. With a gentle click, I heard the heat click on warming the air around me. 

My husband popped into the room, pausing in front of me… 

His shoulder followed his deep breath up and down, then he smiled at me. It was a we’re-getting-there-friend smile, an exhale after a long few days.

One of our sons was presented with a huge challenge that week. We didn’t solve his problems, we still weren’t confident how the situation would turn out, and we certainly didn’t have the kind of control we wish we did.

But…we had a plan.

Well, not really even a plan, more of a next step…

Getting to the next step took lots of conversation, thought, and prayer – but, we finally felt good about a direction. 

Then, in that small exchange, it happened…

I felt warmth – a just-right warmth and not from the heater.

It felt peaceful. Nurturing. Loving, even.

It felt like the Holy Spirit.

Then, my heart heard, “Be still and know, that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

And that was it. My sacred gesture for the day.

See, I think our Creator daily extends each one of us a sacred gesture. This just-for-us, unique gesture reminds us of both His presence and His gifts to us.

God reminded me of my gift of a great man to walk through life with. He also reminded me that all the answers don’t need to be laid out clearly in front of me…just the next right step. And seeing that step is a huge gift. 

Friend, life is hard. Excruciatingly. Then, wonderful and just okay and difficult and back to wonderful again. As we hang on for the ride, those sacred gestures matter. They hover in the air for just a second, but they sustain us for much longer.

It’s time again for the holiday season, so as we walk through the food and gifts and people we love, we take notice.

Expect it.

Look for it.

And lean into them.

Your sacred gesture, just from God to you.

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