Like this:

Do you ever wonder what makes a moment a moment?  Like the feeling you get when you hear the first note of one of your favorite songs; or smelling your favorite food when you walk into a home.  The moment when you realize that Someone created the beauty around you or you realize that the only true eternal things in this life are faith and relationships and the Word.  It’s in these moments that I feel most alive.  Here are my moments:

The smell of fresh brewed coffee made by my bride when I wake up.  The smile my son has upon my arrival home.  Seeing my wife tend to my son with such care and nurture.  The first sip of a good Riesling or Merlot.  Seeing friends just be friends in the most random events.  The initial excitement of getting “on the road”.  The joy of returning Home.

Over the past few weeks I have been so blessed to enjoy such moments.  I was in LA recently for a wedding and as usual I got to spend some time with my beloved friends from college.  So what’s the substance of a moment?  This moment consisted of Jack Daniels, Marlboro 27′s, martinis, beer (on tap), and probably some cheap vodka.  No I did not drink all those things as I was focused primarily on Jack and Coke but these were the beverages shared amongst the peers.  One might say these were simply a catalyst for the moment.  We laughed and loved.  We reminisced and joked.  We talked about church, careers, marriage, kids, boyfriends, girlfriends, music, ministry, sports, heartbreak, big decisions and stupid things we do on a daily basis.  At one point I had to sit back and just think, “Damn, I’m blessed.”  I have had the privilege to walk-through life with these people and share my heart with them.  I have the honor of being rebuked and discipled by them.  The joy of being told “I love you.”  The pain but appreciation of being told, “Chris-stop acting like an idiot!”  I love these people.  I love Sean Davis’ pure honesty and watching him grow into a husband (although wishing he was a father too!).  I love to see him and his bride enjoying marriage and the journey.  I love complete transparency of Rebecca, and her real struggles with life and love.  I love that these are my friends.  These are my partners, my peers, my friends, my beloveds!  Truely this was a moment, a reunion of sorts, but it was real and it was love; it was life lives to the fullest and Jesus was there and was the center.

Fast-forward two weeks.  I’m at wingstop with 2 of my guys: Bam and Casticles.  Two college aged guys who I have the honor of serving and serving with in ministry at church.  They are small group leaders of our youth ministry that I happen to oversee.  They are in the process right now and in the journey of getting to that place I mentioned earlier.  That place of vulnerability and reality to where we live and joke and laugh and rebuke and uplift.  This was a moment where you see life come full circle.  I remember being places at 21 with my boys just talking until 3 am and doing life.  What a moment to see all those times we have been just “hangin out” and doing life come full circle.  I got to see peers become friends.  And two friends become brothers and to be a part of it.  It’s not  perfect but it’s real.  It’s not flawless but Blessed.  This was the moment it hits you that you’re doing life and that life is good.  It’s good when lived with others, and shared with others.

I pray these moments continue.  Tell me your moment.  I pray to never miss a moment.  Be in the moment and see the moment.  Live not for the moment but live IN it.  It’s too good to miss.  It’s life.