Let Them Be and Serve Others as Best I Can

 

This was a lesson I learned well when I was loving my mom through Alzheimer’s. It wasn’t necessary to correct her and I could endure watching Golden Girls for hours on end. Funny thing is that now that she has been gone over six years, I find myself watching those old episodes on repeat just to remember time spent with her. But this is not just a lesson for loving my mom well. But this way of living and loving others needs to be how I encounter others each and everyday. Heck, other people put up with me and my quirkiness on a daily basis. 

It has taken me a lifetime to relax into just being and not judging or fretting over what seemed off to me. A couple circumstances that come to mind. Always kiss me goodnight is something I hoped Ronnie B would do for me. He always comes to bed after me and rarely woke me up for a kiss. A God poke showed me I could get my kiss if I kissed my guy before I went off to bed. Problem solved. The other heart hurt I have is when families have pictures of all of them together. My kids and grandkids have not all been togerher since Ryan died almost sixteen years ago. God poke showed me I can have a picture of all my family one unit at a time. Ron and I asked the kids to take a family picture for us this Christmas. We are gong to put each of these up in our dining room. Whalaaaa all my family on a wall full of pictures. Why have I spent so long feeling sorry for myself over a kiss or a photo? Because I wanted others to do what I wanted or thought I needed rather than embracing them for who they are. My prayer is still for my grown kids and their families to enjoy being together but if that does not happen I can still enjoy each of them now. 

This year Tanner and Bethany made it for Christmas. It was quiet but incredibly intimate and enjoyable. What a gift it is that Ron and I have such a large family with kids, grands, and greats that we get to spend time with. 

So today as I reflect on who I want to be in 2026 it is to serve others and accept everyone for who they are and enjoy spending time with others in my life. 

So forgive me if I correct you or let my orphan spirit worry that you did not include me. Let me see that others whether my closest friends or the guy behind me in the checkout line are all living the best they know how. Each of us look out at others and assume they have life so much better than we do. The truth is everyone deals with the messiness behind those perfect family pictures. The smiles may have been momentary between conflicts that remain unresolved. Let me assure you that even with the muddy mess that is sometimes my life, there are always joys and love through even the darkest seasons. 

To serve is my hope for 2026. Waiters serve and while we are in waiting seasons it is better to serve than sit and wring our hands. So I am going to be intentional about putting down the games on my phone and spend more time connecting with others. But today, Ronnie B and I are enjoying leftovers and watching football. My Seahawks are on fire. For that I am grateful. Love me even if you are not a Seahawks fan.

In Him,

Joyful

12-28-25