Its interesting how life just keeps plodding along – with lots of little joys and challenges. Other people seem to be going through major stuff, and I have gone through major stuff in the past, but now it seems like everything is just little compared to what everyone else is going through and experiencing. Hmmmm well another thing is that there are some major things, but they really aren’t that major… now that I have lost everyone.... I will quit.
Little joys these days revolve around the girls… before we had kids we were able to put so much more into youth ministry – emotional energy, physical energy, staying out late and planning big events… now the mundane and meaningful routine of naps, diapers, bedtime stories, and time spent playing on the living room floor – or creating great works of art… well its just different than it used to be. Being an optimist, I am really enjoying it… but there are some selfish losses to be sort of sad about too.
Little challenges revolve around continuing to really grow in my relationship with Christ – to find the balance of in-reach (personal devotion/prayer/meditation) outreach, and selfish “flesh” time – which I would classify all the things that are for me… maybe watching a movie, or listening to the radio in the car instead of communing with God (when you know you need that time)
Challenges also revolve around trying to be real – not a hypocrite… Jesus used the example of pointing out a speck of sawdust in a brothers eye, and ignoring the plank in your own eye… so its important for me to come to grips with my sinful nature – and beg forgiveness when it is so much needed.
Christmas was interesting. It’s was surprising in many ways. Several events that I expected to be lame were not that bad, in fact surprisingly nice… and some events I expected to be really fun were sort of lame – so it just goes to show that there is little point in assuming too many things in advance… its better to live life eyes wide open – ready to make the most of whatever comes your way.
Christmas is definitely more fun with an almost 3yearold. She loved buying presents and stuff… of course loved getting presents… we still have a couple family things – so there is lots of Christmas fun still to be had.
Little joys these days revolve around the girls… before we had kids we were able to put so much more into youth ministry – emotional energy, physical energy, staying out late and planning big events… now the mundane and meaningful routine of naps, diapers, bedtime stories, and time spent playing on the living room floor – or creating great works of art… well its just different than it used to be. Being an optimist, I am really enjoying it… but there are some selfish losses to be sort of sad about too.
Little challenges revolve around continuing to really grow in my relationship with Christ – to find the balance of in-reach (personal devotion/prayer/meditation) outreach, and selfish “flesh” time – which I would classify all the things that are for me… maybe watching a movie, or listening to the radio in the car instead of communing with God (when you know you need that time)
Challenges also revolve around trying to be real – not a hypocrite… Jesus used the example of pointing out a speck of sawdust in a brothers eye, and ignoring the plank in your own eye… so its important for me to come to grips with my sinful nature – and beg forgiveness when it is so much needed.
Christmas was interesting. It’s was surprising in many ways. Several events that I expected to be lame were not that bad, in fact surprisingly nice… and some events I expected to be really fun were sort of lame – so it just goes to show that there is little point in assuming too many things in advance… its better to live life eyes wide open – ready to make the most of whatever comes your way.
Christmas is definitely more fun with an almost 3yearold. She loved buying presents and stuff… of course loved getting presents… we still have a couple family things – so there is lots of Christmas fun still to be had.
posted by jeff @ 3:18 PM
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