Today was the Christmas program at Blomkest Baptist Church. I always enjoy the kinds as they go through the Christmas story in one way or another. It would have been good to have been there.
I kind of feel bad it has taken so long to get back to this writing. I would like to say life has just been too busy, which is true but the more exact reason I think is trying to find peace, and a bit of quiet in this life to put thoughts together.
We have been renovating a 105 year old farm house over the past year and a half and that takes a lot of energy. Combined with the kids and the church and the Army Reserve, when a bit of down time comes along I seem to like it to just be down time rather than shifting gears and pressing on.... at least most of the time.
So, I'm so very much looking forward to Christmas, I even had Pre-Advent messages because it is going to be a great Christmas. Then my name get placed into an Army Chaplain School and I miss two weeks of church life. Now, here is the issue.... My life is fairly good in every direction.
I enjoy the church very much. I am hoping for a few changes and maybe some new faces but it is a strong and Christ-centered congregation.
I enjoy the Chaplaincy and the Reserves very much also. It is becoming more demanding of my time and my energy which takes time and energy from the church but it reaches many people who are in crisis or need.
I enjoy my family. Being gone is something a family learns to deal with and mine has done well. I have a couple teenagers so things could be better but I am encouraged to enjoy my time at the church and the Reserves, and welcomed home every time I return.
I have a few friends, some closer than others and enjoy getting together when life allows, which is rare. They accomplish exactly what I expect from them, they make me smile. Each for a different reason but I smile when they are around and that makes life good.
There have been some who have asked me what I want for Christmas... That question always makes me laugh too. What I want I already have. My family and friends though they may not know it, I love them all. The question this year comes to me is "What do I want to keep for Christmas". In my mind, it makes life more pertinent, more fragile and helps to identify that which is most important. And probably most of all.... It identifies how I need to act to make my "Keeps" happen because if I don't act the right way, if I don't act with the right emotion or compassion or understanding.... all I have could be gone by next Christmas.
And the problem of humanity raises it's unregenerate head.......
I live a life of volunteerism... An all volunteer Army, people voluntarily attend church, my friends voluntarily choose to meet with me, and though my family is connected beyond this, we volunteer to love each other through whatever happens.
We have had cats who want to take up residence in our garage. It's out of the wind and there are many places to stay warm and safe. If I started chasing them, trying to get them to leave I would get exhausted and the cats would remain. One by one.... and sometimes two at a time.... we would talk to them with calmness and compassion.... they would come close and allow us to pick them up. We then would walk them to the barn where they should be and show them the food and water and stacks of hay that is theirs for the having.... They haven't returned to the garage. We continue to care for them in the barn.
Peace, Love, Hope and Faith and more are never meant to be what we receive from others but what we are to offer, to give generously to others to keep what we want and need in our lives.
If I can only change a small area of life of which I am involved then my efforts are worth the my energies. Together these efforts may change the world.
