We were putting up our Christmas decorations this weekend and what started as fun, intentional family time quickly turned into a classic toddler meltdown.

Nothing like a four year old to bring chaos to a great evening, am I right?

I know it was just because she was so dang excited, but man, the second she had to wait two seconds to do something she wanted to, she went from happy and giggly Saydie to kicking and screaming on the floor.

And truthfully, I was instantly irritated.
Frustrated.
Disappointed the night didn’t go at all how I had anticipated.

But it was in that moment that God graciously reminded me of what matters most: Him.
His love.
His mercy.
His grace.
His forgiveness.
His goodness.

His Son.

His salvation that changes absolutely everything.

Because truth be told, my daughter isn’t the only one who struggles with throwing tantrums when things don’t go her way… I do. I’m the one in need of forgiveness. I’m the one in need of grace. I’m the one who needs to remember that as good and fun as the traditions and memories are, they aren’t eternal. They aren’t what this season is about.
He is.

And I realized that maybe my daughter didn’t “ruin” anything.
Maybe, just maybe, she was a beautiful and timely reminder to my heart of why Jesus came in the first place.