If being surrounded by my family brings me joy (and it does) I can imagine the joy of Jesus when at last His entire family is assembled around Him, safe at last!
Until then, I pray we will even now take pains to bring Him all the joy we can. “Love one another as I have loved you,” He said. Let’s do so actively, purposefully, and persistently, even when we don’t feel like it.
Christmas is one more day when we can set our sights on practicing what He preaches. So here we go! Merry Christmas!
First I spied the dimple, then the fish.
Monday, December 25, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
White Lines
Until yesterday I never thought of offering a prayer of thanks for the people who paint white lines on the shoulders of roads.
I was driving on a two lane rural road in the early morning darkness and the headlights of an oncoming vehicle blinded me. But there it was, the trusty white line on the shoulder, pointing me to safety and nudging me away from the roadside woods. For the first time in my life I thought to bless the painters who kept me on the road. And I did so.
I have a question for you. Who are really more important: billionaires, kings and queens, celebrity entertainers, presidents, or the people who paint white lines on the shoulders of roads?
Perhaps even more important are the people who paint the double yellow center lines that shepherd us away from head on collisions. Thank you Lord for them!
Often I am blind to important things and dazzled by trivial ones. At Christmas I become immersed in the preparations, the gifts, the people with whom I celebrate, the food and drink, the clean up. The lighted decorations dazzle me, and sometimes sadness and loss blind me. Why do I not turn my eyes more purposefully to the Eternal Father who gives life and breath and forgiveness and express thanks to the One who is leading me safely where I need to go? Who also is leading many others whom I love.
God sent His Son Jesus into a troubled world to open the door to eternal life to all who will come. God helping me, that is where my eyes will focus before, during and after Christmas.
I was driving on a two lane rural road in the early morning darkness and the headlights of an oncoming vehicle blinded me. But there it was, the trusty white line on the shoulder, pointing me to safety and nudging me away from the roadside woods. For the first time in my life I thought to bless the painters who kept me on the road. And I did so.
I have a question for you. Who are really more important: billionaires, kings and queens, celebrity entertainers, presidents, or the people who paint white lines on the shoulders of roads?
Perhaps even more important are the people who paint the double yellow center lines that shepherd us away from head on collisions. Thank you Lord for them!
Often I am blind to important things and dazzled by trivial ones. At Christmas I become immersed in the preparations, the gifts, the people with whom I celebrate, the food and drink, the clean up. The lighted decorations dazzle me, and sometimes sadness and loss blind me. Why do I not turn my eyes more purposefully to the Eternal Father who gives life and breath and forgiveness and express thanks to the One who is leading me safely where I need to go? Who also is leading many others whom I love.
God sent His Son Jesus into a troubled world to open the door to eternal life to all who will come. God helping me, that is where my eyes will focus before, during and after Christmas.
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