Christmas Shopping
Only 149 more days until Christmas! Have you finished your shopping? Right! But let me tell you a true story. Several years ago, about this time of year, I was on the phone with my mom. In a giddy voice, said to me, “I’m through Christmas shopping!” I couldn’t believe it. Mind you, I’m not that guy who heads to the mall at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. December is a jam-packed month for a pastor. I can’t wait to the last minute.
A few years after this conversation, Mom had another idea for celebrating Christmas early. In July of 2004 she was diagnosed with brain cancer and told she had six months to live. She lived until April of 2005, but she was determined to enjoy her final Christmas.
So, on Thanksgiving Day 2004, our family gathered at Mom and Dad’s house for Christmas dinner and the exchange of gifts. We played Christmas carols, emptied our stockings, and celebrated. It was a precious time I will never forget.
Mom was determined that she would not miss her last chance to enjoy her grandchildren. She wanted to see their faces when they opened envelopes with checks larger than any of them had ever seen. She wanted them to remember her as the generous and loving lady that she was. She refused to wait until it was too late.
Is there something that you have been delaying that needs to be done? Do you need to take action now? Procrastination will not fix the problem. It will only delay the inevitable. Jesus once said, “Behold, today is the day of salvation.” He was reminding His listeners to do today what they know they should do. Tomorrow may not come. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
This lesson applies to trusting in the Lord. It applies to forgiving that annoying friend or family member. It applies to any number of areas in all of our lives. I encourage you to take action today. It’s always the right time to do the right thing. Celebrate Christmas at Thanksgiving if you must. But don’t put off for tomorrow what needs to be done now.
