Clasping your hand over your mouth in complete shock is something I see in movies. Or at least that was my thought before Friday morning.

I was Black Friday shopping from my phone and I hopped over to Facebook for a quick scroll, because who doesn’t have app ADD?

A notification stole my attention and in an instant, my priorities went from commercialism to a physical craving of touch.

Without thinking, I clasped my hand over my mouth when I learned that one of my youth group boys took his own life on Thanksgiving day.

I was in total disbelief for several minutes while the world around me went quiet.

I slammed my phone down on the counter and ran to find my kids. I needed to hug them, feel their touch, let them help me feel again. I was numb with the news, but when darkness invaded my space I needed anchors to pull me out.

Black Friday shopping wasn’t that anchor. Deciding what Thanksgiving leftovers I would devour later wasn’t that anchor.

In an instant, I had to name what mattered.

Jesus
Mike
Our kids

The list is short, but when tragedy blurs your vision, the things closest to your heart are all that matters.

name what matters

I pray you aren’t in the middle of something so devastating, but even if you are, name what matters. There is power in naming.

Naming what matters and what doesn’t gives you freedom to sift through the mess and overwhelm you may be feeling this season.

What matters to you and your people this Christmas season?

If it requires a change of perspective, shift your focus.

If it requires setting boundaries, give yourself space.

If it requires saying ‘no’ to something, let it be an unwavering no.

As I held my daughter, I let the tears fall. The pain was still raw, but holding her allowed a sliver of light back into my life.

Allow sunrises to captivate you.

Allow the people around you to take priority.

Allow Jesus to claim your heart.

Name what matters. And make it happen.