Yearly Archives: 2011

Well, the last few days seem to be a bit of a whirl.  Going round and round – or maybe in a straight line but at coffee-treated speed (and I haven’t been drinking!). 

The interesting part is that a portion of the time was spend in retreat – at a retreat – with rest and no deadlines forbidding me refreshment.  That time was tucked in the midst of rush and hurry. 

When I arrived home my wife had to run to follow me.  We used to call this being my “grad gown” time.  When I served as a Registrar the graduation weekend was hectic, to say the least.  If my kids wanted to see me, I would invite them to tag along – which meant running behind me.

Having said all this, today I feel refreshed.  The day has been busy and rewarding.  Supper was with a friend – touching base and laughing and exploring our various vocational involvements.  Add to that a great meal prepared by my wife, and things are good.

May you rest in your day and night.

On our way back from supper out tonight I recounted in my head the next few days.  We have a seniors meeting over the lunch hour tomorrow – a few hours preparation and take down.  Then an evening Board meeting with our elders.  Followed the next morning with a staff meeting, then off to Saskatoon for a 24 hour retreat with senior pastors in the region.  Thursday I’m back in time to head out of town to Luseland, Saskatchewan where our camp we help sponsor is having their celebration supper after a successful summer of camp.  Which brings me to Friday – a time to write my weekly email update for our church and then writing a sermon for Sunday. 

All good things, all squashed into a short period of time.  Not a bad thing, just a busy thing!

Well, today I started working on a tub shower diverter.  Which is really a task that has been waiting for a while.

Which is the problem.  The longer something is not working, the sooner the parts begin to deteriorate.  And thus they did.

By the end on this task I had broken a part, replaced another part and found out our town does not have all the parts you might want.  So, tomorrow morning we will use the downstairs’ shower.  And for the next while – until we can get to another town where the part is to be found.  Maybe we can even find it on the internet?

The funny thing is, the older I get the less frustrated I’ve become.  Maybe that’s a matter of experience.  Not everything needs to be done in one day. 

But it would be nice!!

I’ve watched a few people lately.  Mostly aged and beyond the life of their spouses.  Their will to live is depleted. 

While this is a testament to their relationship with their spouse, there is an unfortunate side.  Family and friends may desire to encourage and support the loved one – but they too become discouraged.  They are drained emotionally and wonder how they can place a spark back in another’s life.

There is an old phrase – “let go, and let God.”  Never have I heard a tougher prescription.  If we could save our loved ones from pain, sorrow and hopelessness, we would gladly take their places.  But we cannot.  We can come alongside – we can lift weary hands – but we cannot become their life for them.

So, I pray for God to give marathon strength to each one.  And that they would have radical gratitude in their lives.  That they would see God more clearly, love God more dearly and follow wherever God is leading.  And in some cases that leading is closer to heaven than to earth.

Now, if we would just let go, and let God!