Busy

November 3, 2019

“I can’t promise anything around Christmas. Life gets really crazy in December.” I was talking with one of our band members who was recruiting ensembles to play at various gatherings around the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. She responded, “That’s good; there are a lot of people who have lots of time on their hands at Christmas.” 

I know that’s true, but it’s still hard to wrap my mind around it. As a pastor, things always sped up in the fall. School was back in session with its sports, concerts, and activities; church Christmas planning was underway, year end reports had to be filed, all in addition to the regular weekly work of preparing sermons, visiting the sick, counseling, burying the dead, attending to administrative affairs...the list never seemed to end. Even in retirement, December is packed to the gills. I always hesitate to commit to anything extra, knowing that in addition to what I plan, unexpected matters will always arise.

It’s the beginning of November; Christmas is fifty-two days away, my littlest granddaughter informed me this evening. I’m retired, so the responsibility for all the church activities falls on other, younger shoulders. But even in retirement, I find it hard to slow down. Today—Sunday, the day of rest—was filled with people from 7:30 am till 9:30 pm. It was all good, but it was also all busy, so I can’t help but think of those for whom time weighs heavily upon them. Although there are times I would like to slow down just a bit so I could attend to some of the things on my to-do list, I am thankful to not simply be watching the clock all day, waiting for the night when I can go to bed and not remember my loneliness. The people in my life who make it so busy are a gift from God, and I am thankful for each one.