Merry day-after Christmas! I hope you all had meaningful celebrations with friends and loved ones nearby and are showered with blessings in the new year. We’ve had a nice time of celebrating Christmas with extended family, church family and each other, but there’s just something about this special time of year that seems to shine a spotlight on the vacant seats.

I went to Hobby Lobby with my mom the other day, and practically every aisle of knickknacks reminded us of her best friend – lost to cancer. Seeing the kids in all of their hyped-up, sugar-and-anticipation-filled, bouncing-off-the-walls boyhood couldn’t help but remind me of my brother. Worshiping amidst candlelight on Christmas Eve filled my heart with wonder about the reunion that we’ll have someday in Glory.

My heart has been torn in 14,000 directions this week, so bear with me if I seem a bit melancholy.

Since I’m a day behind, here are the posts for yesterday and today:

(Sunday) Even if you have to lock yourself in the restroom, find a moment today to be truly alone with God. Thank him for Christmas & what it means.

(Monday) After all the holiday food, today may be the biggest “leftovers” day of the year. Does God get your leftovers, or are you putting him 1st?