Thoughts at the End of 2009

Five hours left in a year that has been interesting to say the least! There have been some problems in 2009, but there have also been some incredibly bright spots, and that is the case for all years. While certain stories dominate the news and my thoughts, no period of time is ever all bad or all good; the world and the life experiences of the people in it are just too vast for them all to be of one type or another, and for that I am very grateful! 2009 is simply another year, and the events of that year will help formulate the events of the year to come, just as all other years in the past have done.

All that being said, I hope the new year starts better than the old one ended! For the first time in 13 years of ministry, I called in sick last Sunday morning, and it felt all wrong! Regardless of how it felt, however, the high fever, the concrete sinuses and the never ending cough indicated that it was not a good day for me to be around people, much less try to talk to them! It was a good day to hibernate in my chair and that is what I did. I do not like being sick; I am not a patient patient, and it is very difficult for me to slow down and take care of myself. But the older I get, I have come to realize the necessity of doing just those things. If I make a resolution, and I don't do that much any more, it will be to continue to work on taking care of myself and listening to my body!

The storms are raging outside as I write---2009 is going out like a lion! But the storms bring water and snow and the promises of a good year to come, so I smile and relax. Football is happening and I don't have to go outside until NEXT Sunday!

Reflections on the Storms

It has been a while and many good things have happened; now all I need to do is discipline myself to write about them! I missed writing about the wonder of the autumn drive over the mountains or the way in which Mount Shasta absolutely dominates everything. I missed out on sharing about the amazing amount of food the church collected for the food drive, and the close encounter with a bald eagle was a while ago! (I still might talk about that rather amazing event!) That seems to be the story of the world in which I live; I am surrounded by wonderful things and I don't take time to really examine them and reflect on them!
So what is going on today? It is pouring down rain and the wind is howling---the kind of storm we call a "Del Norter"! It is very typical weather for this part of the world, but it is difficult nonetheless. It is a day for a cup of tea in front of a warm fire, for even the ducks are in hiding!
It is also sort of the middle of "the holidays," that period of time in which there are storms of emotion and human chaos. The sad get sadder, the happy get happier, and the speed of things becomes a swirling mass. There are parts of it that I love, and parts of it that wear me out! I have done all the secular things; the cards are mailed, the presents bought and wrapped and under the tree, the token number of parties and concerts attended and all of that stuff. Now it is time for me to reclaim the sacred. When I can leave the mall behind and walk into the presence of the manger, the storm ceases and "all is calm, all is bright." The work is still there, but it is work which can be met peacefully!
External peace is not possible unless a whole bunch of people suddenly decide to cooperate, but internal peace is always within my grasp. That is what I find when my focus turns away from "the holidays' and into Christmas.
My prayer is that all might take time to know the Prince of Peace, in whatever form he might come to each person; then the storms will cease!