Impossible weight,
crushing,
pulverizing,
punishing,
scorching,

hollowing out,
burning up,
leaving out,
blowing up.

Come, Lord Jesus, and heal my wife. Amen.

Dread and torpor--quite a combination for Christmas Eve.

Yes, and No

Wisdom knows
when to gaze,
and when to avert the eyes.

When to listen,
and when to muffle the ears.

When to touch,
and when to pull way untouched.

When to embrace,
and when to turn away.

When to ponder the past,
and when to inhabit the present fully.

Each thing, time, place
in its own measure.


Only God
can bear to know
all things
as they are--
and know them aright.

Holidays and Happiness

Holidays can be especially unhappy for many. The chronically ill may feel an intensified expectation to be merry and celebrate when they can do neither. This adds a sense of guilt to their already-miserable state. The spouses of those afflicted have similar feelings, and feel the sad weight of obligation placed on "the healthy one."

Consider these poor souls during the holidays. (1) Don't expect them to be happy. (2) Love them no matter how they feel. (3) Serve them in ways appropriate to their limits; that is, do not expect them to meet your conditions for gift. You may love to dine out, while they cannot do it. If so, bring them food or ask them what they need. (4) Pray for them, trying to put yourself in their place.

It is somehow our lot to lament the avoidable and the unavoidable woes of a wounded world.

God, who owns everything, prevail on behalf of your impoverished servant who is in danger of losing his house at the holidays. He is working for your to educate the church on Islam. Come to his aid, Oh God of mercy and provision. Oh, God, restore, renew, and bless supernaturally. Amen.

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Sending hand-written cards to people is a way to personalize an increasingly impersonal world. "Love is kind."