It’s been a while since I’ve published a blog post. With the rapidly changing landscape of social media and online content, I’ve wondered if people even want to read posts anymore. I think most, like myself, want everything packed into a 30-second video.

I believe there’s a special part of your brain that gets worked when you read something and create the imagery needed to paint a scene, rather than just watching a video and consuming what someone else has created. I also think there’s something special about content—written, audio, or video that makes you think, laugh, or cry—or all of the above. And that’s why I’m sharing this story with you today.

A few nights ago, we decided to do our yearly Christmas drive to look at lights. Our family of 4 gets cozy in our Christmas PJs, brews some hot chocolate even though it’s 75 degrees out, and grabs a bag of candy for the road.

We like to drive through The Heights neighborhood where they have themed streets with giant candy canes or little Christmas trees, and some houses go all out. This drive will last over an hour as we take our time soaking up the spirit of the season.

As we’re driving home, my 9-year old daughter Arielle proposes a question to the car.

She says, “Do you guys think I want to be rich when I grow up?”

Thinking about her endless desires when we go shopping, Shannon and I both start to nod our heads. We joke back to her, “With your Sephora shopping habits…yeah…we think you’ll NEED to be rich to support them.”

She laughs. Almost like she knew that was exactly what we would say.

She continues in a very genuine tone, “I don’t want to be rich when I grow up. I just want to have as much money as you guys have.”

Some parents could get offended at that, but I was more honored that she saw our example as an admirable one. It’s a special feeling when your kid says they want to be like you.

I remember thinking similar thoughts when I was young. My parents taught me to be rich in other things besides money. Be rich in health, love, ability, and experiences.

I remember wanting that “richness” and not caring about what society said “rich” was.

Even though we have plenty of disagreements with our opinionated little 9-year-old, Arielle has a truly special heart inside of her, and I know it spoke to her then inside of that car.

It told her, “THIS is a rich life.”

Driving around with family at the holidays—doing an outing that is free but a family tradition—the love in our car is what most people really want for Christmas. And that’s something you can’t find in any store, no matter how much money you have.

Even though Arielle gets turned down from getting something almost every trip to a store, I know she respects our way with money. She sees how we only spend on things that matter. She sees how we seem to never have money for impulse purchases, but always have money for a tip jar or donation.

Like any 9-year-old going on 19, she loves to test her parents and see how much she can get away with. She tests us, because I’m always testing her. I’m always asking her to weigh price vs. value, and encouraging her to value the things that really matter. I hope that she continues to value the truly important things in life—the ones money can’t buy.

If you’re a parent and you feel like you struggle to keep the focus on the things that truly matter through the holiday season, do not be discouraged. I’ve had countless moments where I think the lessons aren’t landing…but they are landing with your kids, just like they landed (eventually) with you.

In the end, your kids will most appreciate the things that cost the least amount of money. They don’t want the toy or the games, as much as they want your full presence in playing it with them. Kids tend to remember this time of year more so than any other time due to the heightened excitement of the season. Be there for them, and give your presence over presents.

In case you do prefer movies to blog posts (although I’m not sure how you got this far into the post), watch “8 Bit Christmas” with your family. Its message is similar and heartfelt, that there are much more important things to value at Christmas than toys and material things.

I love this quote from Pastor Mark Batterson, “Joy is not getting what you want; it’s appreciating what you have.” May you be filled with joy this season.

Remember the reason for the season, and even though it wasn’t a part of my childhood, I want to give my kids one of the greatest riches of all, a strong relationship with God. (Matthew 13:44)

From our family to yours, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas. God Bless.