Father, this is such a hectic time of year! Of course, it often times is much to our own making. One of the biggest struggles in being a bi-vocational pastor is that I have the combination of two vocations which have the craziest schedules during the Christmas season – pastoral ministry and retail! Extended hours for one and a fuller calendar with the other are challenging, to say the least. Don’t get me wrong I am blessed to have the struggles. Then on top of those to add family (one of the greatest blessings of all!) and the complication of sickness and surgery into the mix and, oh, talk about a simple sleigh ride turned into a luge run – oh, my – hang onto your hats!
Lord, there are only a couple weeks of craziness left. I must admit the whole combination is taking its toll. I am physically and emotionally weary and my heart’s desire is to remain spiritually buoyant. I don’t want the negative elements to suck all the joy out of everything. You coming to this dusty globe some 2000 years ago give us every reason to be joyful. May I never cease, in every aspect of my life, to proclaim
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And Heaven and nature sing!
And may the third verse of this beloved carol come to fruition in a mighty way, as well…
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.
Lord, may Your presence override all the “thorns” in our lives and may Your “blessing flow” that we all may find You, our Savior and Redeemer, for that is why You came. Praise Your holy name! Amen!
Dec. 16th, Fri, 5:29 am
