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I have read a meme a whole bunch lately and I feel we need to apply this to our daily lives. What meme might this be that seems so important? I’m glad you asked! 

“The first Christmas was pretty simple. It’s okay if yours is too.” 

It’s ok to keep things simple. You don’t have to have the best light show in the neighborhood. You don’t have to have gourmet meals for folks when they come over. You do not need to spend a ton of money on your “kids”, your coworkers, your parents, or even your spouse. Instead of worrying about spending a ton of money on presents… just be present. Just be there. Show up with a smile and bring some laughter. Folks forget what you purchased or what you gave in no time flat. You know what folks don’t forget? How you made them feel. People remember how you loved, cared for, brought joy and laughter. People also remember the way you mistreated, overworked, used and abused, cursed, neglected them. Keep things simple. Just show up and share love. 

“The first Christmas was pretty simple. It’s okay if yours is too.” 

American actress and singer, Naya Rivera, wrote, “Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that.” Do you think butterflies spend hours in front of a mirror making sure they look just right? Do butterflies spend a bunch of money on getting their hair done or putting on make up or smell good? Nope, they don’t. Do you know what butterflies do? They flutter around and make people take notice of their beauty. Children try to catch them. Adults pause and look. They’re so pretty and peace giving. No matter what is going on, most folks will stop and allow a butterfly to land on their finger. They’ll watch them and be fascinated with their movements. Do these butterflies have to put on some elaborate show to make you watch them? Do they charge you? Do they have light shows and fog machines, spot lights and costume changes, great sound systems and videos? Not at all. They are simply beautiful creations of God who flutter around and have us pause and admire their beauty. 

You…are a butterfly to someone nearby. You bring peace to someone’s mind. You calm them just by being near them. You bring a smile to someone’s face (maybe when you enter the room…maybe when you leave, haha). Keep Christmas simple. Keep life simple. Just be present. Bring joy. Be the good needed. Don’t get overwhelmed in life. Just simply be there and bring the joy needed. That’s all.

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail.com.