Rushing to Slow Down
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
Surely, life will slow down soon, right? Seems I’ve always been looking forward to things slowing down. And it will be when:
• I’m out of school and get a job, or when the wedding planning and wedding are over, or when we get settled in a house
• After the baby sleeps through the night, or when the kids aren’t playing sports or feeding show animals daily
• When work slows down, or when kids are off to college, or retirement comes Those events are almost expected. What about the unexpected ones that add to life’s rush?
• Learning what business cycles, bankruptcies, and layoffs mean to you and your family’s emotional state, as well as your family budget and retirement plans
• Having your world turned upside down when the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but your child is not going to develop like other children do”
• Finding out that living happily ever after isn’t always happily ever after
• Hearing that diagnosis …. the one that previously always happened to someone else’s family
• Having to say goodbye to a dying parent, spouse, or child
Life is busy, and sometimes I feel like a pinball. But I keep rushing ahead, because it all depends on me, right?
Yet as busy as 364 days can be, there is one night that I gladly rush to – Christmas Eve. It doesn’t matter how many things are going on, or how many family hospital visits or chemotherapy treatments or business deals and trips have occurred, I know that Christmas Eve will bring peace to my life. Peace as I once again find the baby Jesus lying in a manger. Peace as I feel the loving embrace of my South Main family and we sing familiar carols, hear timeless scripture verses, light candles, and go out into the Houston night. Peace as I share the love of a family often gathered together around the Christmas season. Peace on Earth, good will to all people. Come Lord Jesus, and until then, come Christmas Eve.
Dear Lord, help me to slow down, to find peace and share it with others. Amen
Wade Cline and his wife, Lainie, are grateful for the huge role that South Main has played in their family’s lives: Kenneth (25), Andrew (19), and Abby (17). Wade serves as chair of deacons.
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