Tip of My Iceberg

The music was blaring–“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. The beat was infectious, and everyone was moving at least a little.

Mack and Scout were dancing up a storm. Scout, at two years of age, moved his hips in a way that was absolutely charming–and funny.

Our son’s family was here after Christmas for some family R and R–relaxation and rousing interactions. Their four boys bring a different dimension to family fun–they’re prone to wrestle, everything is a competition, and laughter is always a part of it.

The cousins enjoy each other, and their creativity as a group is exponential. They don’t always get along–what family does? But enjoying each other is a far greater value than bickering.

There’s something very freeing about dancing in the moment, unconcerned about what moves you have, what others think of your personal rhythm, how you appear to those around you. There’s beauty in being ourselves, even if for one moment, not caring about an image.

Children have yet to learn how to manage how they appear to others. They’re spontaneous much of the time, reflective some of the time, contentious the rest of the time.

They’re real.

As we enter this new year, it’s easy to think of what needs to be accomplished, changed, or at least attempted in this blank page of 2024. Such pressure can often make me focus on measurable things–accumulation, accomplishments, or recognition.

None of which concerns most children.

Kids are often focused on friends, playing with one another, enjoying having other people present.

That’s hard to do when competition with others is the main focus of our energies.

The apostle Paul was clear in what our focus should be.

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.” Galatians 5:13-14

The freedom God invests in us is a freedom to love and be loved, to live with an exultant attitude of caring for others, to enjoy being who we are with who we’re with.

I won’t make any resolutions this year. What I choose to do is allow my attitude to be impacted by the freedom to love others as Jesus loves me. To enjoy the moments given me each day without complaint or criticism.

I won’t be able to sustain this attitude. I know how weak I am, how prone I am to want my own way. But I will remind myself that every day is a gift, and living it as a gift and not a burden gives me more joy in the moment than anything I can gain through selfish efforts.

So bring on the new year with it’s challenges and crises. Bring on the chances to live today as a gift without complaining what that gift looks like.

I want to live in style as one who is dearly and deeply loved by the One who rejoices in me constantly and dances with me in joy as His beloved.