The Stillness, the Hush!

          Jan and I find ourselves entirely alone at 2:30 on a Sunday afternoon . . . it's bizarre. We're both kicked back with full stomachs and relaxed in our recliners. But, the stillness, the hush, the emptiness is haunting. I don't remember the last time this has happened; it almost seems as though it has never occurred. 

          At our home, Sundays have been days reserved for worship, for rest, and for family. This pattern started several years back. Lately, some of our grandchildren, being older, have Sunday afternoon activities. Some other family members feel it necessary to work. Various other events occasionally interrupt. Today, it's everyone occupied somewhere. Today is definitely oddball. I don't like it. It makes me feel somehow irrelevant---and lonely.

         The Sabbath most basically was established by God to be a day of rest and recovery---not in some legalistic sense, but as a general, ongoing guideline. God created it this way. Jesus illustrated it. And, we have the obligation to maintain God's universe and ways. 

     My entire life I've tried to guard this principle without being a judicious fanatic about it. Failing to keep God's ordained guidelines, however, brings eventually some sort of payback . . . so I caution all to diligently keep God's Day holy, devoted to Him and His purposes, not to ours. 

     Christmas is less than a week away! Our illustrious Congress is granting us a tax cut and simplification---life is sweet. For what more could we ask? 

  Please live your lives knowing this is a God-centered universe! And we wish each of you a very Merry Christmas . . .