People Are the True Point in Life
The older I get, the more I realize that life’s best moments aren’t measured in accomplishments but in connections. Yet every holiday season, it’s far too easy to lose sight of that truth. We race to prepare, plan, and perfect every detail. Yet, in all the hustle, we sometimes forget the very people those preparations are meant to bless.
We can decorate the table beautifully, bake every pie from scratch, and still miss the point if we’re not giving our attention to the people sitting across from us. It doesn’t matter if a photo of the table featuring our meal and decorations is Pinterest-worthy. The fleeting attention given to our Instagram post won’t last. But the way you make others feel? That will last long after the social media notification disappears.
A Lesson From the List
A few years ago, I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time. I had a spreadsheet for the meal plan, a timeline for cooking, and even a color-coded system for oven rotations. It all ran like clockwork, until my son asked if I could sit and play a quick game of cards with him.
“I can’t right now,” I told him, “I have too much to finish.”
He shrugged and walked away. As I watched him leave the kitchen with a little less brightness in his expression, the ache that settled in my chest told me I’d made the wrong choice. When I finally sat down to eat, everything looked perfect, but it didn’t feel like Thanksgiving. The laughter was quieter, the conversations thinner. I had orchestrated a flawless meal but missed several priceless moments.
Life doesn’t happen on our lists. It happens in the moments we spend together with others. We need to learn to slow down and spend time on the things that matter most.
The Biblical Reminder
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV)
It’s easy to justify our activity. You might say, “I’m doing this for them!” But sometimes what others need isn’t our effort; it’s our empathy. While you’re off accomplishing your agenda and what you think is necessary, you might be missing out on growing the relationship with someone instead.
The next time you set forth to do something for someone else, take a moment and ask yourself if you’ve asked them what they need. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the hustle of helping, we end up doing it for the wrong reasons.
The Heart of GATHER
GATHER: Giving Attention To Honor Every Relationship means recognizing that relationships are the point, not the perfection of the plans. It’s about choosing connection over control, slowing down long enough to see people the way God does, and honoring their worth through intentional love.
When we give attention freely, we reflect the heart of Christ, the One who never rushed past people but met them right where they were. To GATHER is to make space in your life, your schedule, and your heart for others. It’s a way of saying, “You matter, and I see you.”
The Rooted Reflection
You can’t take your to-do list with you, but the love you sow in relationships lasts forever. When you honor others with your full attention, you mirror Christ’s heart and cultivate joy that no perfectly timed dinner could ever provide.
So yes, plan the feast, decorate the table, take care with the preparation. But never forget that people are the point. That’s the true essence of GATHER.
