Tuesday evening Monieca and I attended her SundaySchool class Christmas Party. For one of the activities members brought a new toy that would be donated to Toys for Tots. The catch was it had to be a toy like one they had played with as a child. There were fire trucks, dolls, checkers, marbles, a princess gown, a toy gun, and more. As each person held up their toy, they shared their childhood memory.

While the toys varied from person to person, what we all shared in common was smiles. The toys and stories brought back pleasant memories from years long passed.

As a dad and a grandfather I realize today is when the memories that will one day in the distant future bring a smile to the faces of my kids and grandson are being created. The question I must ask myself is this: “Am I doing my part to make those memories pleasant?”

The answer to that question speaks loudly to the quality of both my life and my relationships.

What memories are you creating for your loved ones?

Pastor Steve Hogg