One and All!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Whether you were in the sun and sand, or in the ice storm down east, or the snowfall and cold temps in the west, Christmas came and went. I hope it offered you times to ponder the meaning of it all. The relevance to your life.
Our kids were not with us this year so it was a bit different. Just the two of us and varying groups and combinations of others each day. That will continue on until we begin the regular work routine starting January 6th, 2014!!!
It has been good in this way...we have been able to connect with people we usually don't see all the time. We have been definitely blessed by friendship.
As we look forward to 2014, we anticipate more times of laughter, fellowship, and perhaps even tears (this past year has brought the completion of life for a number of our loved ones and friends).
I missed this by one day but...
Today is the last day of the work week and for the remainder of 2013 at our office, as well. Although I don't work on Fridays, I will be going in to 'break bread' with my fellow workers. In other words, it's a party! Well, it's a lunch, they will go back to work after about an hour or so and I will head home!
It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. Seems like we should still be back in late August or September! Maybe even July! 2013 went just too fast. But, that's the subject for another blog!
This morning I got this blog in my inbox and thought I would share it. J-O-Y - Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last - hit home for me. I recall too many times when I was quick to comment under my breath about the car in front of me, beside me or behind me. Or, too much decision on what I want for Christmas or how busy I seem to be or any other silly little thing affecting me. Get my point? So, this short devotional gets full attention for me today and hopefully the remainder of 2013 and 'into infinity and beyond' (for those who saw Toy Story!
Hope you will take the time to read it....
http://www.faithgateway.com/humility/?utm_source=devosdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=devosdaily20131220&spMailingID=44627255&spUserID=NzIyMTQwMDYzMzUS1&spJobID=221560333&spReportId=MjIxNTYwMzMzS0#.UrRRW_RDvhN
The weather has been constantly changing. We have had blizzards and then calm and light snow, then wind, then cold deep freeze weather and this past weekend, it was back to RAIN, which froze, and more wind last night and this morning. Today they say it will snow! We have so much snow now!!!
We have been to a few Christmas events already. In one way, it seems like Christmas should be tomorrow...and then again...it feels like it is way too soon when I realize it is next week! What a mixture of thoughts! Guess it has to do with all we have been doing. I am still writing cards. There is always someone I seem to miss. Some I want to say more on the card so I don't send it right away and then it seems like the one I want to send doesn't get sent! If that makes any sense....
I still need to buy a few gifts for different people but will have to do that later in the week as I work today and tomorrow. I still have some time.
A close friend of ours asked me the other night how I 'prepared' for my mother's passing away. I told him that up until the moment they told me that she was gone, I always felt she would recover. It came as a total shock to me when they said 'it's time to let her go' indicating that there was nothing more they could do for her. Although others around me, may have realized this earlier, it didn't sink in for me. I always felt there was hope and a reason to 'keep going'.
This morning, the father of this same man, passed away. Fortunately it happened quickly - although how quick can it be when you watch someone slip away. You don't know the timing 'at the time'. You just wait and wait and wait. Wondering if this is the last breath or will a miracle take place.
Watching your parent pass on has got to be the most difficult thing a person must do. Our own death, even if it is not in our control, somehow we control our actions, our emotions, the way we respond. Someone else's dying process, we have no control over. We simply watch and pray.
Our friend is in shock and will be until this is all over and he has moments to think about all that has happened, so quickly. In an instant, it seems our life is over. Thankfully, I believe it is not the end but just the beginning.
John 14:1-4; 6
"Do not let your hearts be troubled; Trust in God; trust also in Me." "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (6) Jesus answered. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Unbelievable amount of snow and so light and fluffy and blowing everywhere! especially across the roads making them slippery like ice! It definitely is a winter storm out there. This stuff is not the kind of snow you make snowmen out of! It's beautiful if you don't think about the number of accidents that are going to happen. I had a function to attend tonite and when I came out after starting my car, some wonderful soul had brushed it off for me already. Pay it forward I say so I will have to do something nice for someone else now!
More snow overnite and for tomorrow. Hopefully the wind will die down and they can get the graders going again. Ah, winter in Alberta!
