I was invited by the student leaders of SI Unplugged to give a reflection to a small group of seniors on the topic of: “cherishing.” Meeting in the chapel from 6–8pm, students surrender their phones for two hours of time together in prayer, songs, reflection, and small group conversations. About twenty seniors showed up for the evening.
I had a week to prepare my remarks. I spoke about the difference between gratitude and appreciation; and I spoke about appreciation for things, for experiences, and for time with people. Reflecting on time spent with my grandfather as a small boy, I said:
The things I have learned to cherish the mostest in life are not actually things and they are not even experiences; they are times with people.
For example, throughout pre-school, kindergarten, and maybe even through 1st grade, my maternal grandfather would pick me up after school. I’d spend time with him in the yard, or at his workbench; we’d have lunch or a snack; we’d take naps – him in his Lazy Boy chair and me on the couch; and we’d run errands around town until the evening when one of my folks would be home, and he’d drop me off. I now cherish my memories of those times, as I recognize that so much of my personality was formed by him — his love for me, his curiosity about the world, and his fearlessness. I’m also glad that I cherished those times as a kid — I knew we were having fun and spending our days the way God intended.
It was a good evening, and I felt blessed to be invited into this student space.
