- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
I
got up today and am feeling very tired. The weekend wore me out. I
ran a 5k race and went to three church activities and preached at
three services on Sunday. I also had a wedding rehearsal Sunday
night and did some counseling Sunday afternoon. So, today I feel
tired. There is nothing wrong with feeling this way except in my
case I can start to see the world much differently. Minor problems
now become major ones and some things that would not bother me at all
now bring me concern. So, for me rest is an essential part of a
meaningful life.
Perhaps
this is one of the reasons God give us the Sabbath. We all need to
rest. I have read in many places that proper sleep is an excellent
way to take some of the stress of life away. After all that said I
am planning an afternoon bike ride. It is rest of a different kind.
It takes my mind away and tonight I will sleep very soundly. So, I
say to all enjoy and take a Sabbath.
Yesterday I came to church and Joel, the other minister on staff, told me that Eric had passed away. I had to ask him to repeat it because I could not believe what I was hearing. Eric was healthy. Eric was young. What happened? It appears a heart attack and today I am still shocked. I visited Eric’s mom and saw the pain that comes when a child dies before the parents. She was shocked to say the least.
I went home and told my spouse that we need to count our blessings more. Our children are alive and well as of this writing. But we never know what the future holds. Yesterday was a wake up call for me in ways. It reminded me that life is short and therefore I need to enjoy each day and apprecaite the people I love more. My prayers are with the family in their loss and also with me that I truly will be more aware of all the blessings I have been given.
Tonight
as I write these words the winds are blowing with some strength. The
trees are swinging and I can hear the wind whistle though the fire
place chimney. I have a healthy respect for the wind. It can do a
great deal of damage. I also know from taking some bike rides in it
that the wind can slow a bike ride. I also know that try as I might
the wind blows where it wants to blow.
I
have always loved how Jesus once said in the Gospel of John that the
Spirit of God is like the wind. Jesus said that the Spirit blow
where it wants. As I watch the tree swaying I am reminded that God
works in mysterious ways. And tonight as I go to bed I am reminded
again that I am a mere human and do not understand all of God’s
ways. This does not cause me to lose any sleep but rather to affirm
that I trust God who is far superior to me in all ways.
My
spouse has found a new term. She has said at times that she is
pleasurably exhausted. She discovered this term in talking to
another grandmother who had just spent time watching her
granddaughter. My grandson just visited us for a couple of days and
I know that unique phrase myself. What a joy to be around such a
precious gift from God but it does leave me physically a bit tired.
I
sometimes think that pleasurably exhausted describes some of my
profession. However, my ‘job’ may not leave me so much physically
drained as emotionally drained. Walking down life’s pathway with
some hurting people can wear a person out. I believe this is why God
was the first to introduce the concept of the Sabbath. We all need
to take a Sabbath from not just work but the daily stress and strain
of living. So, as you read this think about how you are going to
really take a Sabbath.
Easter
is just a memory. That is the day. The message and promise of Easter
is still alive and well in our world. One of the tasks of being a
minister is to officiate at funerals. Each funeral is leaded with
many emotions. It is never easy for loved ones to say good bye to
those that are an important to so many. Funerals are always a
challenge to me. What can be said? And how do you say it?
For
me Easter is my answer to what to do or say at such a time as a
funeral. It is great to be able to proclaim and believe that because
Jesus lives we all will live also. I know the church calendar says
Easter day is over but in a real sense Easter is never over. I am
going to continue to celebrate it all year long.