It’s that time of year again. That time to go see The Big Guy himself: the jolly old man with the twinkle in his eye and the furry red suit. It’s time to go see Santa!
We have visited the same Santa every year since Trey’s first Christmas. As far as our family is concerned, he’s the real deal. And sometimes, he gives me a little glimpse into the character of God. This year was no exception.
Unfortunately, the comparison was a little different. We had actually visited a different Santa first, at the Dickens of a Christmas festival in downtown McKinney. This Santa took the time to interact with both our children, asking them what they wanted and responding to their requests. He took a genuine interest in them and made them feel special. He listened to what they said, and seemed to enjoy getting to know them. Even when a line formed behind us, he didn’t hurry the children off. He made sure the conversation came to a natural conclusion before he wished us well and told us he’d be by on Christmas Eve.
By contrast, our “regular” Santa was quite different this year. Perhaps it was the fact that we showed up just a few minutes before closing time. Perhaps it was the fact that there was a cute little baby in front of us. Perhaps it was the fact that Santa was tired…or busy…or cold…or hungry. The fact was, we were hurried through the process with very little interaction or interest. Though Santa remembered us, he was not as welcoming or inviting to the children. I almost felt as though we were imposing. So we quickly gathered our coats and gloves and left, having spent less than 5 minutes with the one my children had waited 11 months to see.
I was deeply saddened by that encounter. Disappointed. Even a little hurt and angry. As I thought about it that night and contrasted our two experiences, I was reminded of myself…and how I approach God. Now, I realize God is more than a cosmic Santa Claus. But like that first Santa, he welcomes us as we come to Him. He has eternity available to Him, so time doesn’t matter. He wants to know us, to hear our requests, to have us share with Him and talk to Him and take time just to be with Him. He’s never too busy, or too tired, or too cold, or too hungry to spend time with us. He loves us. We are precious to Him.
But too often, I am like our regular Santa. Preoccupied. Distracted. Put off with other things. I may take a few moments here and there to spend time with God…but then it’s rush-rush-rush off to somewhere else. And even in those few moments I spend, my mind wanders, thinking about things I need to do, people I would rather be with, or tasks I want to accomplish. My Heavenly Father waits patiently for me…yet I treat Him more as an obligation than a precious Friend. I perform my required duty without taking the time to develop and cultivate a relationship. And because of that, I miss out on His blessing. The joy of His presence. The beauty of His fellowship. And the richness of a life devoted to listening, hearing, and following Him.
This season, may I take the time amidst the busy-ness to listen. To hear. To rest. To enjoy. But most of all, to be filled with all that He is, and all that He can be through me.