Finally, for the first time in at least a month, I have a few hours to myself. For someone who spent a lot of her adult life living alone in a foreign country, I covet solitary time. And part of the way I want to spend it today is with you, my blog readers. Probably most of you know me personally, and the rest of you, fans of my book, know me better than you ever wanted to. When I post a blog, I’m writing to a friend.
One of my most faithful readers is my father, who calls it my "blob." Since his stroke, he hasn’t had access to a computer in the hospital. Consequently, I feel a little freer in expressing some things that I wouldn’t if I thought either of my parents would read it.
As we waited for the ambulance to pick him up the night he had his stroke, what scared me the most was when Dad handed me his wallet, cell phone, keys, and told me where to find letters he’d written to my brother and I years ago. I realized he didn’t think he would come home. Now we know that he will return home, probably about Christmastime. The initial fear is gone. But driving Mom to the hospital every day and helping carry the burden of how they’ll manage if he can’t ever use his leg again – well, I’m exhausted. Sometimes it seems that my lot in life here in our new town will be caring for people at the end of their lives – Dad, Mom, then Steve – with no children to care for me when it’s my turn.
Add to that all the usual heightened activities at this time of year, and I am feeling worn out and it’s just the beginning. I suspect some of you feel the same way. Today, two familiar verses helped me put some things in perspective. I hope you, too, will find rest for your souls and inner peace this Christmas. There’s only one place we need look. Isn’t it ironic that the hubbub of the season can so easily overshadow the Person the holiday is meant to celebrate?
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)