Wayne's World: The Power of a Moment

by Wayne Geiger

It was an exceptionally dark night with bumper to bumper Christmas traffic. I made my best attempt to be cool, calm, and collected, but I was on a tight schedule and losing the battle. The stop and go traffic brought dreariness, frustration, and anxiety. “What in the world is going on?” I complained, “I’ve got way too much to do to be sitting here!”

And then I saw “the problem”. The problem was the Magic Tree (470/Lee’s Summit). “Seriously?” I fumed, you’ve never seen a Christmas tree before?” Then, like a beautiful sunrise, the Magic Tree illumined the darkness and, I too, was captivated by the electric moment.

The tree was beautiful and magical. Brilliance in the midst of barrenness. I slowed down, captivated by its beauty, experiencing the power of the moment. I was the problem and I almost missed it.

During the Christmas season, good things can rob us of the best things. Like a swinging pendulum, our attitudes swing back and forth between A Wonderful Life and Ebenezer Scrooge. The problem, of course, is the villain--the Grinch who attempts to rob us of the joy and essence of the season. For me, there are three main Grinches of the season.

The Grinch of Busyness

During the season, we are bombarded with an endless array of parties, kid’s events, baking, concerts,

packages to mail, office parties, Christmas cards, and get-togethers; not to mention our normal routine. Our social calendars fill up fast and we find ourselves constantly on the run and, if honest, we get a little stressed and a little cranky, or so I’ve been told.

The challenge is planning and controlling our schedule, ensuring that we have a good balance between the things we are obligated to do and things we choose to do. Part of the season should include fun, happy, delightful times with family and friends, or even just the opportunity to relax in front of the fireplace with a warm cup of cocoa watching a sappy movie on the Hallmark Channel. This can be wonderfully therapeutic.

These times of relaxing and refreshment should be planned and placed on our social calendar. Then, when one of those “unexpected invitations” comes up, it’s not untrue to say, “I have a commitment that night” (only WE need to know that the commitment is to our sanity and includes furry slippers, a cozy couch, and fuzzy blanket).

The Grinch of Shopping

Shopping can be a delightful experience, but when combined with the business of the season, it can also add to our stress level. Just this week I was talking to a friend who said, “I haven’t done any shopping and I’ve got four kids!”

Unfortunately, we’ve bought into the marketing trap that believes the “season” is synonymous with “shopping.” Gift-giving is a part of the season, but certainly not the main part. We need to rethink that.

And then there is the giving to others. We’ve all experienced that awkward moment when someone, outside of our immediate social circle, surprised us with a gift and we were taken aback. We then felt compelled to get them something in return.

Reluctantly, at times, we shop for people we barely know, giving them items they do not want or need, with money we don’t really have. That’s probably where the idea of “regifting” came from.

Our gift-giving should be fun, but also strategic and purposeful. Rather than focusing on the price tag, we should strive to create lasting memories and heartfelt experiences.

It should also be contained within our budget. Homemade cookies can be a great way to involve the kids in giftgiving, can be fun and memorable, and not be too expensive.

The Grinch of Decorating

As we drive around our community, we get to experience many beautiful lights and displays. I admire the way some people use their creativity to express themselves during the season. To be honest, I loathe decorating (this comes as no surprise to my wife). I’m more of an appreciator of fine art rather than an artist. I just carry the ladder and put the lights where she says.

I have had to learn, over the years, to realize that my help in decorating is one way I can show love. Remembering that, helps me to endure, if not enjoy, the experience.

One of my favorite decorating memories is the first year my wife and I were married. We bought a tree but could not really afford to buy ornaments. That year, we made our own.

She took little, colorful, business cards with Bible verses about the Christmas story and put glitter on them. We hung them on the tree with red yarn. I still smile when I think about that first tree.

The process of decorating should be family-oriented and fun. The finished product should be personal. If you choose to go all Griswold, or if you’re married to this person, try to see the bigger picture and enjoy the power of the moment.

The holidays can be a busy, stressful time, but we can choose to fight back. We can take control of our lives and schedules and not allow the Grinch to keep us busy with good things while forgetting the best things. In the midst of all the craziness, we can create ways to slow down and celebrate the power of a moment.

Wayne Geiger is the Pastor of First Baptist Church Grain Valley, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Speech at Johnson Country Community College, and a freelance writer.