I have spoken a little of bucket lists. I do seek joy and pleasure and peace, perhaps too much. I do not let God be my portion and cup as much as I should. I endeavored to spend more time talking to God this advent, have more than one quiet time a day. I started out doing it but pursuit of pleasure has distracted me.
After listening to a MP sermon my other resolution was to have a less stressed Advent. That mainly means to me that I resist anger and stay away from worry and impatience. I was not going to do Christmas cards. But later I decided to try to do that without getting angry. I have done that so far, they are mostly done. But I suspect those around me do not know how to act. When I ask them to help they mostly demure, waiting to be forced. So I am doing them mostly by myself. Well, I have plenty of time. Oh instead of a newsletter, which brings stress, I have decided to enclose a sheet of 2012 pictures. This has been a good success. I put a word document on a thumb drive and go to fed-ex/kinkos to make color copies. It looks good. Perhaps we will put together a newsletter later and email it.
There have been more parties than usual (1). And of course the season is not over. So far I have had three caroling events and we hope to do one more in the neighborhood. One daughter has back out because of a commitment. I tried not to get angry. I have tried to keep peaceful. I have tried to be joyful too.
David had lots of external stresses. But he tried to remain calm and seek refuge in God. He has taken counsel. He has been instructed while he sleeps (16:7). He has kept his heart glad. He has found pleasure (and joy) in God's presence. (16:11). Let us all seek to do the same, find pleasure more in God's presence and less in Bucket Lists.
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