dual personalities

I am still getting Christmas decorations out and finding a place for them. Other things must be put away. Annie and Andy were quite accommodating.

This gang goes on the mantle.

But I am not so sure where this gang is going to go…

This weekend I will (hopefully) settle all these decorating issues.

These are issues I can deal with. Three years ago we were dealing with finding out the boy had cancer. Two years ago the twins were born at 27 weeks, 3 months premature, and their parents were camped out in the NICU. “Things happen,” as T.E. Lawrence said, “and we do our best to keep in the saddle.” We stayed in the saddle. We keep going.

Because there is always something to deal with. The ups and downs of business. The precarious-ness of jobs. They seem magnified at this time of year when we are so busy and so focused on the festivities of the season. What we really  need to focus on, of course, is the fact that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld  his glory, the glory as of the only begotten son of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

It is Advent, after all. We are waiting. Let’s take a deep breath (or two) and ponder these things in our heart.

Listen to some good music.

Read something uplifting.

“He knew that all was well, because he had done the best that he could, from day to day. He had been true to the light that had been given to him. He had looked for more. And if he had not found it, if a failure was all that came out of his life, doubtless that was the best that was possible. He had not seen the revelation of “life everlasting, incorruptible and immortal.” But he knew that even if he could live his earthly life over again, it could not be otherwise than it had been.”
― Henry van Dyke, The Story of the Other Wise Man

This weekend I am going to finish my Christmas shopping, wrap a boatload of presents, decorate the big tree, get my house ready for visitors, go to church, and choose to be joyful.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (I Timothy 1: 15-17)