Stop…you are in a moment. 

You are reading this at the perfect time to be impacted by its message.  As busy as you are, you took time…so really take this moment for all that it is intended to be.  A moment for you.  Maybe these words will be the break you needed from a hectic day.  They could be a glimpse of inspiration.  You may find yourself tearing up and grateful for the human connection.  You may just need something to remind you how great you are.

This is your moment.  Only you can determine what you get out of it.

In the movie, “Miracle,” Kurt Russell portrays the legendary hockey coach, Herb Brooks.  In the locker room before his players were to take the ice against the world power Soviet Union, he started with these words, “Great moments are born from great opportunities.”  I love that.  Was the win of a hockey game the moment?  Yes and no.  Yes, it was the culmination of countless hours of hard work, preparation and execution.   But the moment was more than a game.  It was a group of men who came together, sacrificed their own egos, maximized their talents and invited others into their weaknesses to achieve a goal.

This is your moment. Alone or on a team…only you can determine what you get out of it.

When I think about standout memories in my life, the moments that revolved around accomplishments are lower on my list.  The achievements in ministry, sports, family celebrations or individual goals are fleeting. These are a couple of moments in my life that hold deep, special meaning to me:

• When Kristin stood at the end of the aisle moments before our wedding.
• When Taylor auditioned for her piano part in the youth band.
• When Abigail walked with me into the ocean as a small child.
• When Casey stood on a pew behind me watching worship and whispered in my ear, “I want to do that.”
• All of the “You may kiss the bride” at my children’s weddings.
• The conversation I had with my father-in-law before everyone arrived at the hospital on his last day.
• Each of my grandkids saying “Pop” to me for the first time.
• My friend, Ronn, telling me, “I never turned left at mile 13.”

The most obvious thread in all of these moments is that they revolve around people.  That is why they stand out.  A great accomplishment in a project or goal is wonderful…but there will always be another one. 

People are what make moments hold meaning to us.  I cannot tell you what I wore to church last week but I can remember vividly what Kristin looked like on our wedding day almost 33 years ago.  Moments connected to people hold deep value to us.

What are your stand-out memories? What memories are you creating today? Don’t focus on creating the Norman Rockwell moment.  Focus on the person you are with.  How do they make you feel?  What is unique about them that brings meaning to you?  Why do they matter to you?  What can you do to invite them into a deeper relationship? 

“This is your time. Now, go out there and take it.”  Those are the words Herb Brooks sent his players to ice to take on their giant. It requires courage, action and decision.  You must do the same.

You are in a moment.