The Holidays can be a very busy time, rushing from one place to the next.  Sometimes we are in such a hurry we fail to notice the things around us.  While in Wal-Mart the other day, I was shopping very quickly.  This means I had my head forward, using my very fast paced walk. I knew what I had to buy and I wasn’t taking the time for anything else. I rushed around the store to get my things; I was in a hurry to meet a friend for lunch and I didn’t want to be late.  As I got to the car with my purchases it dawned on me.  The keys were lying neatly in the seat with the car doors locked. I immediately called my parents house to talk to my dad, who always comes to my rescue.  My mom said “Marsha you need to slow down.  She tells me that a lot, because I am always in a rush. She put my dad on the phone and I explained my predicament about lunch and he said he would bring his car for me to use.

I went back into the store to wait for my dad to arrive.  While I was sitting on the bench impatiently tapping my foot on the floor, an elderly gentleman shuffled towards me with a cane.  He had a bright grin and I smiled back.  When he got close to me he said “You are in too big a hurry.”  I was shocked.  How would he possibly know that?  He went on to say in struggled speech that he had gone through four strokes and could only walk with the assistance of a cane.  I had to really focus on what he was saying to understand him because of his speech.  He told me that three days a week his wife drops him off at Wal-Mart and he walks around the store several times to exercise.  Apparently I had passed him numerous times.

His next word took me by surprise he said, “Slow down now and take time to enjoy the things around you, don’t wait until something slows you down.  Before my stroke I was always in a hurry, and I missed out on so many of the beautiful things around me.  Don’t be like me.”  In a joking manner I replied, “Well I can’t be in a hurry now, my keys are locked in my car.” But inside I was pondering what he said; could this be something God wanted to get across to me?  He sat down on the bench and we talked a bit more, but I was still thinking about his words.  I saw my dad pull up, so I took the man’s hand and said “Have a Merry Christmas and God bless you.”

As I drove a borrowed car to lunch I was praying, asking God to help me understand what all this meant.  The next morning while listening to the Christian radio station the word for the day was, “Don’t be in such a hurry, take time today to enjoy all of God’s blessings.”  I was speechless.  I guess what they say is true, third times a charm.  Three times I received a message from three different people.  So in this Christmas season, I want to pass on to you this message.

Don’t forget the reason we celebrate, slow down and always take time to enjoy God’s blessings!

I wrote this blog a long time ago, but the message is still such a good one, I wanted to share it again. My father would still come to my rescue if he could, he is in a wheelchair now and unable to drive. I am reminded at this busy season that I need to slow down more and take time for the things that matter.