This year was like the last few Christmases. When family members asked me what I would like for Christmas, nothing came to my mind except sox and underwear – and this year I didn’t even need underwear! Fortunately for me, my family is both generous beyond what I deserve and very creative. I am truly blessed … and always come away feeling inadequate in the “gifting” department.
I knew Sunday was going to be a busy day. After worship we were having dress rehearsal for Christmas Eve’s 4:00 p.m. service. Then, from noon until 1:00 p.m. I was hosting “Drive-up Communion” in our front parking lot. After that I would drive home, change my clothes, and Monica and I would hop in the van for a quick trip to the funeral home in Frankenmuth. Afterwards we would visit a little with her sister and brother-in-law and then return home.
The thought came to me rather spontaneously. It was a new angle on an old story that seemed to fit the circumstances perfectly. In retrospect I believe it was a God@Work moment. And an illustration I expect to use many more times in the future – with the full knowledge that most every time I try to form earthly pictures of biblical truth there will be some sort of shortcoming in the story.
On Monday I had a topic in mind for today’s Thursday’s Thirst, but I cannot remember what it was. Tuesday brought another idea that has also vanished in the wind. Wednesday early morning it was the same. How do the lyrics from the Beatles’ White Album go? “When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide where I stop and turn, and I go for a ride till I get to the bottom, and I see you again! … Look out! Helter skelter! Look out, ‘cause here she comes!”
We were driving home from Florida Tuesday when word came to us over the STL prayer chain. It took a little while for us to understand it was “our Oxford” – not somewhere in another state. Then yesterday and today I read the Free Press articles and became a participant / listener in many conversations, both in person and online. The shock tremors will not quickly pass from our community.
You know the question – and the fun answer. Question: “What day is Thanksgiving this year?” Answer: “Thursday.” I have been telling people that we will be eating at Cracker Barrel this year – but the truth is, it might be McDonald’s or Chick Filet! Our primary goal will be to keep our trot going, as opposed to getting my gut overloaded.
I pulled up to our cottage Sunday afternoon for the beginning of my annual leaf-raking expedition. The leaves were mostly out of the trees, covering our double lot with a thick, golden brown layer of beauty, and the only snow to be seen was on the rooftop. But I had a problem.
Miguel Cabrera has a career batting average of .310 – and is on the fast track to the Hall of Fame. Ty Cobb – perhaps the GOAT of hitting – had a career average of .366. You can find the figures for Hank Arron’s career on your own. This week I went one for three – much closer to Cabrera than Cobb … but certainly nowhere close to God’s standard of 1.000!
After rarely, if ever, stepping into a hospital for months, this week I have been in three, knowing five patients in those three! Two have had successful surgeries (both of whom I was able to visit). One I was able to walk the halls with while we spoke of his getting home in a day or two. One I could not visit because he has tested positive for COVID – and another I have simply messaged.
People are having a more difficult time these days making day-to-day decisions, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal (I think). Over 30% of our general population – and well over 40% of families with children at home – are finding that “routine” decisions are no longer routine. They thus often find themselves stymied on a day-to-day basis.
