A lesser-known occupational hazard of being clergy is that
Christmas isn’t just for feeling merry and bright. It’s a work-related event
that demands lots of energy and attention. Don’t get me wrong- I’m no Grinch,
and by the time the final “Joy to the World” is sung by candlelight, my heart
is as joyful as anyone's in the place. However, the days leading up to that
silent night are crowded with long to-do lists.
Long before winter’s dawn this morning, my mind was
prayerfully preparing for the day ahead. This year, it seems as if there are an
unusual number of non-holiday, yet important, things on my plate. As I thought
about everything that needs to be done and the amount of time in which I have
to work, I realized that I was feeling. . .well, what was that feeling inside
of me? I felt around inside of my head and heart and discovered that I was little tense,
a little crabby, and really not very joyful at all. Realizing that I wasn’t feeling as joyful as I
thought I ought to be feeling just made me that much crabbier.
And then I realized that it was trash day, and everything
changed.
“Honey, how many people are on the recycling and trash
trucks?” Andy and I guessed there were 2-3, although we’re usually not home
when they come by. I grabbed a few blank Christmas cards. I didn’t have much
cash in my wallet, so Andy supplemented what I had. He ran downstairs to get
some ribbons, and I worked on how to secure the envelopes to our trash bin, so
that they wouldn’t blow away. By the time we were done, we were both smiling.
As I drove to church, a trash truck passed me going in the opposite
direction. Maybe they were headed to our house? I smiled again as I thought
about them finding our gifts to them. I prayed for them, that these gifts would
bless them during this Christmas season.
While driving through the lakes, two seagulls kept pace with
my car. How cool is it that I drive with seagulls on a December morning in the Midwest?
The radio played a really cool version of “We Three Kings” by the Beach Boys. (Wow,
their harmonies are tight.) Last night, we got to enjoy a lovely dinner with
friends, and tonight’s dinner is crocking away happily in the crockpot. The sun
has broken through the clouds, and my cluttered desk holds some great
possibilities for worship and ministry.
Who can be crabby on a day like today? After all, it’s trash
day!
