“I wonder what he (she) will look like?”
What parent-to-be hasn’t asked that question?
Mary and Joseph surely must have been wondering, too.
Five days before he was to be born, so much remained unknown.
Who would he be? What was God trying to do? The angel…the dream…it was all real, wasn’t it?
The days just prior to the birth of a child are overwhelming.
On some level, expectant parents (even experienced ones – maybe most of all) know that they’re sitting together in a little inflatable raft, just this side of Hoover Dam.
They know that at some point very soon, that dam is going to burst, and a flood of new experiences will flow forth in a way that changes life forever.
In the meantime, life goes on as usual inside the little vessel. Really, what else is there to do…but wait. These final days are the very definition of what it means to be “expecting.”
We’re “expecting.” It could be anytime. We wait.
I remember standing in my Grandmama’s “sewing room” when I was all of 9 years old. At 9 years old, I knew myself to be much more than a mere “child,” and I was working hard to shed my “childish” ways.
It was just about 5 days before Christmas. As she worked, making the final stitches on hand-made gifts for me and my cousins, I proudly proclaimed to my Grandmama, “This Christmas has just flown by…you know, I think they get faster every year.”
I didn’t really understand why she started laughing.
I do now.
The truth is that Christmas seemed to take forever in those days. The year’s journey from Christmas to Christmas seemed to last several lifetimes. That’s what excitement, hope and expectation can do to time in the mind of a child.
As the days go by, our account of years-lived grows larger and deeper. Our perspective begins to change.
The formerly cavernous space occupied by the period of a month or a year has collapses under its own weight. The years really do go by faster every time. The danger is that repetition can dampen excitement. Expectation can get lost in the shuffle of time.
Time changes things, and sometimes those changes are not easy for any of us.
The time is gone when little children will beg treats from my great-grandmother’s Christmas candy-filled apron, like I always did those many years ago. But the wonder of God’s world, and God’s time (it’s not really ours, after all) is that even still, her role will not go unplayed.
The generations of our family, like summertime-cousins playing “Mother May I,” have all taken one “Giant Step Forward.”
That Christmas, when I was 9, my Dad was the same age that I am now.
You get the idea. It all happened while we were expecting one thing or another.
And here we are.
…In time, his parents came to know what he would look like. Eventually, “the days were accomplished.” They years can teach us that we really are cast together in the great loom of time. The Christmas Baby teaches us of God’s love.
Our beginnings and endings may overlap, and we may even lose sight of one another for a time. He will not let us be lost forever.
“So that no one should perish…”
God really does love us that much, and yes --- he does have a plan.
On this, yet another 20th of December, I stood in my kitchen, sipping coffee. The house was quiet and dark. Across the way, a seven-year-old version of myself and a three-year-old version of his mother lay in their beds, sleeping away the hours till Christmas morning.
Sewing-room to kitchen. A short, little stroll…now decades long.
Jack Spitzer Roberts is waiting, too -- anxious to carry those Crockett County names into the world that he will help make.
For a moment, I felt that my own name could be Joseph as the thoughts felt their way through my mind: “I wonder what he’ll look like, be like, think like, play like, talk like…”
Our little raft bobs in the water…stirred by currents that came from the other side of the dam.
God was with that uncertain but faithful man and his frightened, young wife as they made their way, two millennia ago. They waited, and they wondered.
Their faith is our life raft.
Their child is our savior.
Excitement…expectation…hope…joy
Seconds…and…minutes…and…days…and…years.
We have never been alone, not in a single one of them…and we never will be.
May the peace of Christ fill you with all joy and expectation. May the clock run slowly, just like it did when we were kids. And may we savor each second, praising God with thankful hearts!
Grace and Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
"Baby Jack" Watch: Given the subject of this blog, it seems only fair to give you the update that Holly is 38 weeks and nearing delivery, and we're "waiting" to see what will happen when. Thanks so much to all of you who have kept Holly, me, Will, Sam and "Jack to be" in your prayers. We'll let you know! Adam
Christmas week is here! Take a look at our Christmas worship schedule, and please invite a friend to meet you at SOTH!
Tonight, 6:30 PM – Blue Christmas Worship, a time of reflection and remembrance for those who struggle emotionally and spiritually during the holidays. This service will be long on hope and celebration, and we hope that you will join us and all who look to Jesus for hope in their lives this season.
Sunday Morning, December 24th: One worship service only – 10 AM
Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight: Two Service, 5 and 7 PM with childcare provided both times.
Christmas Morning, December 25: SERVANT EVANGELISM EVENT
Meet at SOTH at 7 AM Christmas Morning to join our team of servant evangelists who are going out to freely share the love of God with our community. Our team will be taking coffee and doughnuts to local fire and police stations and hospitals to help remember those who are away from home on Christmas morning and to tell them that God loves them. Making this small sacrifice on Christmas morning may make your time together even more meaningful and will really mean a lot to those who experience God’s love through this simple act of grace.
Sunday Morning, December 31st: One worship service only – 10 AM
Sunday Morning, January 7, 2007 – NEW WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINS!
9 AM and 11 AM with Sunday School for all ages, 10:15 AM
Dec 20, 2006
Dec 13, 2006
Line
Parents. Everybody’s got ‘em.
Some people have really got ‘em.
Jay Bakker, for instance.
Does that name ring a bell?
His parents’ first names might. They’re Jim and Tammy Faye.
Oh……that Bakker.
Jay, their only son, was 11 years old when his parents’ televangelism empire, “The PTL Club,” began to crumble. Allegations of his father’s affair turned into eventual criminal charges of fraud.
An article in today’s AJC details the new reality show based on the last year of Jay’s life, “One Punk Under God,” that began airing on the Sundance channel last night.
Jay has grown up and entered the ministry in his own right….and in his own way.
He founded Atlanta’s “Revolution,” and has since moved on to begin another Revolution ministry in Brooklyn, New York.
Further reading this morning uncovered a sad article about another famous Christian family. Apparently, the Grahams are embroiled in a private (now becoming public) disagreement over the final resting place for Billy and Ruth.
Kids. What’re you gonna do?
If even the Grahams can see their family descend into feud and struggle, is there a lot of hope for the rest of us?
Well, Christmas says there is.
Here’s what I mean: have you ever taken a good look at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel? Maybe not --- genealogies don’t tend to be the most exhilarating of all scriptural passages. The secret is you’ve got to read close, and a little between the lines.
Why would Matthew kick off his story of Jesus in such a “compelling” way?
Perez, Zerah, Hezron, Aram, Aminadab, Nahshon, Boaz, Obed, Abijah, Asaph, Joram, Salathiel, Eliud, and etc., and etc., and etc.
I wish you could see that sentence as I’ve written it in Microsoft Word. It’s got more red underlining than my freshman English essays. My computer says those names do not compute.
So, what is the deal, anyway?
The deal is Matthew’s need to draw us an important picture of Jesus’ identity.
Everybody has parents. And kids, what’re you gonna do?
There are definitely some “characters,” several of the “ill repute” variety, in that historical parade. Let’s just say that there are a lot more folks on the “naughty” list than the “nice” one in Matthew’s Christmas story.
And people --- that’s Jesus’ family we’re talking about.
Prophecy said that the messiah would descend from the line of David.
That’s exactly what Jesus did, and Matthew illustrates, through “Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the messiah” (Matthew 1:16).
Really fascinating is that Matthew, while mentioning each man in the line of fathers, mentions only five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, “the wife of Uriah,” and Mary.
Each of those women are mentioned prominently in other scripture, and the stories would make most daytime soap writers blush with embarrassment.
The, “wife of Uriah?” She could also be known as “mistress of David.” Or even, “cheater with David.” Her husband was intentionally left to be killed in battle on her new lover’s order.
Those are Jesus’ great, great, great…you get the idea…grandparents.
So…what is Matthew telling us?
Whatever his intention, what I gather is that God doesn’t mind a mess. Redemption is always possible. Everyone, even Jesus, falls somewhere in a line of those who’ve gone before and those who follow after. Somewhere in the middle of the line, when the world would least expect it…God chooses to do his work.
That’s incarnation. That’s inherently Christian. That’s the good news.
I hope this blog finds you this day in the middle of your work, in the middle of your week, in the middle of your shopping, parenting, playing, loving and living.
The middle….the mess….that’s where the good stuff lives.
May something transformational, even incarnational, happen for us today.
Immanuel. God with us. Amazing, and true.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
We're coming down to the end of 2006 and entering a season of wonderful Christmas celebrations. Please make plans to join us on December 20, 2006 at 6:30 pm for our second annual "Blue Christmas" worship celebration. This time of worship is very special for those who want to remember those they miss during this season, and we'll focus on the hope that Christmas offers all in our community who may be blue during these days.
Christmas Eve candlelight and communion: 5 and 7 pm, with childcare available at both services.
One worship service only, Sunday morning December 24th, and Sunday, December 31: 10 AM.
New Worship Schedule begins January 7 --- 9 AM and 11 AM with Sunday school for kids and adults, 10:15.
Some people have really got ‘em.
Jay Bakker, for instance.
Does that name ring a bell?
His parents’ first names might. They’re Jim and Tammy Faye.
Oh……that Bakker.
Jay, their only son, was 11 years old when his parents’ televangelism empire, “The PTL Club,” began to crumble. Allegations of his father’s affair turned into eventual criminal charges of fraud.
An article in today’s AJC details the new reality show based on the last year of Jay’s life, “One Punk Under God,” that began airing on the Sundance channel last night.
Jay has grown up and entered the ministry in his own right….and in his own way.
He founded Atlanta’s “Revolution,” and has since moved on to begin another Revolution ministry in Brooklyn, New York.
Further reading this morning uncovered a sad article about another famous Christian family. Apparently, the Grahams are embroiled in a private (now becoming public) disagreement over the final resting place for Billy and Ruth.
Kids. What’re you gonna do?
If even the Grahams can see their family descend into feud and struggle, is there a lot of hope for the rest of us?
Well, Christmas says there is.
Here’s what I mean: have you ever taken a good look at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel? Maybe not --- genealogies don’t tend to be the most exhilarating of all scriptural passages. The secret is you’ve got to read close, and a little between the lines.
Why would Matthew kick off his story of Jesus in such a “compelling” way?
Perez, Zerah, Hezron, Aram, Aminadab, Nahshon, Boaz, Obed, Abijah, Asaph, Joram, Salathiel, Eliud, and etc., and etc., and etc.
I wish you could see that sentence as I’ve written it in Microsoft Word. It’s got more red underlining than my freshman English essays. My computer says those names do not compute.
So, what is the deal, anyway?
The deal is Matthew’s need to draw us an important picture of Jesus’ identity.
Everybody has parents. And kids, what’re you gonna do?
There are definitely some “characters,” several of the “ill repute” variety, in that historical parade. Let’s just say that there are a lot more folks on the “naughty” list than the “nice” one in Matthew’s Christmas story.
And people --- that’s Jesus’ family we’re talking about.
Prophecy said that the messiah would descend from the line of David.
That’s exactly what Jesus did, and Matthew illustrates, through “Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the messiah” (Matthew 1:16).
Really fascinating is that Matthew, while mentioning each man in the line of fathers, mentions only five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, “the wife of Uriah,” and Mary.
Each of those women are mentioned prominently in other scripture, and the stories would make most daytime soap writers blush with embarrassment.
The, “wife of Uriah?” She could also be known as “mistress of David.” Or even, “cheater with David.” Her husband was intentionally left to be killed in battle on her new lover’s order.
Those are Jesus’ great, great, great…you get the idea…grandparents.
So…what is Matthew telling us?
Whatever his intention, what I gather is that God doesn’t mind a mess. Redemption is always possible. Everyone, even Jesus, falls somewhere in a line of those who’ve gone before and those who follow after. Somewhere in the middle of the line, when the world would least expect it…God chooses to do his work.
That’s incarnation. That’s inherently Christian. That’s the good news.
I hope this blog finds you this day in the middle of your work, in the middle of your week, in the middle of your shopping, parenting, playing, loving and living.
The middle….the mess….that’s where the good stuff lives.
May something transformational, even incarnational, happen for us today.
Immanuel. God with us. Amazing, and true.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
LIFE AT SOTH:
We're coming down to the end of 2006 and entering a season of wonderful Christmas celebrations. Please make plans to join us on December 20, 2006 at 6:30 pm for our second annual "Blue Christmas" worship celebration. This time of worship is very special for those who want to remember those they miss during this season, and we'll focus on the hope that Christmas offers all in our community who may be blue during these days.
Christmas Eve candlelight and communion: 5 and 7 pm, with childcare available at both services.
One worship service only, Sunday morning December 24th, and Sunday, December 31: 10 AM.
New Worship Schedule begins January 7 --- 9 AM and 11 AM with Sunday school for kids and adults, 10:15.
Dec 6, 2006
Satisfice (It's a real word)
So, one big thing that I haven’t talked about on the blog in a long time now is the very real and exciting reality that Holly, Will, Sam and I expect to welcome little Jack Spitzer Roberts into the world, maybe by the end of this month.
Even though we’ve lived pretty far from both sides of our family since 1998, we’ve never lacked for love and support from the people who surround us in our day-to-day lives.
Church is amazing that way. The folks at Caney Head-Roopville-Welcome, Wesley, and now Shepherd of the Hills have showered and showered us with the stuff of raising babies, each and every time that the opportunity has come around. We are eternally grateful for the adopted brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, moms, dads and (especially) grandparents who have been the day-to-day stand ins for the real ones who live a little more than just around the corner from us.
One thing we know about having and raising babies. We couldn’t do it without you. Well, maybe we could…but it wouldn’t be nearly as easy…or fun, and we wouldn’t do it nearly as well.
A couple of weeks ago, Holly and I ran across a catalog of baby-raising accessories. It’s pretty amazing to see what’s out there.
Did you know that for just $20, your baby will never have to suffer the indignity and discomfort of a cold baby wipe?
That’s right, there are really baby wipe warmers. Yes, I did check to make sure nobody gave us one of those before writing this piece.
Having a baby in the U.S. in 2006 requires more technical gear than you’d need for a month of backpacking across Alaska.
As first-time parents, Holly and I were pretty susceptible to the baby-panic-oh-my-lordy-what-if-we-didn’t-think-of-everything-and-scar-our-child-for-life syndrome that the baby-gear industry seeks to induce.
Then I took some trips to Honduras and saw a different culture of baby and child-rearing. Like the 8 day old baby girl I saw wrapped in an old blanket and laid on a bench, outdoors where the chickens were scratching. There were no safety straps. There was no decorative-padding pattern. Did I mention there were chickens?
I don’t tell that story as an example of a practice we necessarily plan to adopt at the Roberts house. I do tell it as a point of reference and perspective. Mostly, to raise a baby, you need energy, faith, strerngth, stamina and support --- more than stuff. The church has always given us those things in ample supply, as well, and that’s a beautiful gift.
Right now, we’re headlong into the time of year when the non-essentials really have the power to outweigh the really necessary things that matter. There are lots of choices to make ---- and many decisions are waiting. I’m working hard this year to become more conscious of those fork-in-the-road moments each day.
An example: Christmas lights.
For years, I have been a Christmas lighting fiend. Not that I’ve ever achieved any spectacular, Clark Griswold-like results, but it’s not been for lack of planning.
For every home in which we’ve lived, I’ve developed master plans, thought through the possibilities and purchased all the necessary cords, bulbs, plugs, hooks and strands.
We shouldn’t even talk about The Tree. Every year since our marriage in 9 years ago, Holly has dreaded Tree Day. You see, I’m a recovering light-wrapper.
Don’t know about wrapping a tree? Don’t start.
This year, I actually just sort of…well…. “shoved” the lights into the tree. When finished, I wasn’t angry or frustrated, and my lower back wasn’t throbbing. I was finished in time to watch football.
Guess what?
The tree looked great. My little boys lay beneath it, staring up at the mass of twinkling lights, making Christmas memories that will last a lifetime.
I put lights up in our yard, and the entire process didn’t take more than a half hour. The “WWWOOOOWWWW!” that came from my 3 year old when we lit them up that night was infinitely worth the time and energy.
I’m working hard to become a “satisficer,” not a “maximizer.” This is not my nature.
Maximizers buy baby wipe warmers. More than that, they probably read back-issues of Consumer Reports to make sure that they buy only the baby wipe warmer with the ultimate features at the best price.
Maximizers do not have the most fun.
Satisficers do.
According to Barry Schwartz, “satisficers” enjoy life, simply because they have the ability to utter, and mean, a simple, magical phrase: “That’s Good Enough.”
Happy is he or she who can say, “Good Enough.”
Immediately, I feel the impulse to defend the pursuit of excellence. Immediately, I feel the need to defend myself, and assure you readers that I will never set low standards for ministry…or anything else for that matter.
I told you, I’m recovering. It will be quite a process.
What about you?
What about Jesus: maximizer or sufficer?
On the one hand, he did say, “be perfect, therefore, even as the Father is perfect,” but he also said, “do not worry.”
So, which is it?
Hard to believe, I know, but I really think there is a middle way. Excellence is a good thing. The question is, to what end? Why am I maximizing? Do I want people to think well of me? Do I have fear that I won’t control an outcome? Am I afraid that someone else will get ahead? Do I really care first, and only, about the glory a situation, choice or decision can bring glory to God?
Tough questions. Is there a way I can take God seriously, but not myself? I think it’s possible. I need to hear that message at this time of year, because there’s a lot of “gear” out there. There’s not nearly as much love.
What if the goal of our Christmas celebration this year could be pretty simple? What if it could be about The Message, not just The Tree? I’m thinking that there really is a way to make Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope our priorities this year.
Is “stuff” blocking the path to those priorities? Time to say “Good Enough,” and let it go.
I think The Book says, “Neither Christmas lights, nor cards, nor schedules, nor pressure, nor advertising, nor traffic, nor baby wipe warmers shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” Something close to that, anyway.
May this be your most joyful, most fun Christmas ever.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
A “Christmas Letter” currently making the rounds on the internet, author unknown:
10 Ways to celebrate Christ's Birthday A letter from God to His children:
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short.
I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU.
Even though we’ve lived pretty far from both sides of our family since 1998, we’ve never lacked for love and support from the people who surround us in our day-to-day lives.
Church is amazing that way. The folks at Caney Head-Roopville-Welcome, Wesley, and now Shepherd of the Hills have showered and showered us with the stuff of raising babies, each and every time that the opportunity has come around. We are eternally grateful for the adopted brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, moms, dads and (especially) grandparents who have been the day-to-day stand ins for the real ones who live a little more than just around the corner from us.
One thing we know about having and raising babies. We couldn’t do it without you. Well, maybe we could…but it wouldn’t be nearly as easy…or fun, and we wouldn’t do it nearly as well.
A couple of weeks ago, Holly and I ran across a catalog of baby-raising accessories. It’s pretty amazing to see what’s out there.
Did you know that for just $20, your baby will never have to suffer the indignity and discomfort of a cold baby wipe?
That’s right, there are really baby wipe warmers. Yes, I did check to make sure nobody gave us one of those before writing this piece.
Having a baby in the U.S. in 2006 requires more technical gear than you’d need for a month of backpacking across Alaska.
As first-time parents, Holly and I were pretty susceptible to the baby-panic-oh-my-lordy-what-if-we-didn’t-think-of-everything-and-scar-our-child-for-life syndrome that the baby-gear industry seeks to induce.
Then I took some trips to Honduras and saw a different culture of baby and child-rearing. Like the 8 day old baby girl I saw wrapped in an old blanket and laid on a bench, outdoors where the chickens were scratching. There were no safety straps. There was no decorative-padding pattern. Did I mention there were chickens?
I don’t tell that story as an example of a practice we necessarily plan to adopt at the Roberts house. I do tell it as a point of reference and perspective. Mostly, to raise a baby, you need energy, faith, strerngth, stamina and support --- more than stuff. The church has always given us those things in ample supply, as well, and that’s a beautiful gift.
Right now, we’re headlong into the time of year when the non-essentials really have the power to outweigh the really necessary things that matter. There are lots of choices to make ---- and many decisions are waiting. I’m working hard this year to become more conscious of those fork-in-the-road moments each day.
An example: Christmas lights.
For years, I have been a Christmas lighting fiend. Not that I’ve ever achieved any spectacular, Clark Griswold-like results, but it’s not been for lack of planning.
For every home in which we’ve lived, I’ve developed master plans, thought through the possibilities and purchased all the necessary cords, bulbs, plugs, hooks and strands.
We shouldn’t even talk about The Tree. Every year since our marriage in 9 years ago, Holly has dreaded Tree Day. You see, I’m a recovering light-wrapper.
Don’t know about wrapping a tree? Don’t start.
This year, I actually just sort of…well…. “shoved” the lights into the tree. When finished, I wasn’t angry or frustrated, and my lower back wasn’t throbbing. I was finished in time to watch football.
Guess what?
The tree looked great. My little boys lay beneath it, staring up at the mass of twinkling lights, making Christmas memories that will last a lifetime.
I put lights up in our yard, and the entire process didn’t take more than a half hour. The “WWWOOOOWWWW!” that came from my 3 year old when we lit them up that night was infinitely worth the time and energy.
I’m working hard to become a “satisficer,” not a “maximizer.” This is not my nature.
Maximizers buy baby wipe warmers. More than that, they probably read back-issues of Consumer Reports to make sure that they buy only the baby wipe warmer with the ultimate features at the best price.
Maximizers do not have the most fun.
Satisficers do.
According to Barry Schwartz, “satisficers” enjoy life, simply because they have the ability to utter, and mean, a simple, magical phrase: “That’s Good Enough.”
Happy is he or she who can say, “Good Enough.”
Immediately, I feel the impulse to defend the pursuit of excellence. Immediately, I feel the need to defend myself, and assure you readers that I will never set low standards for ministry…or anything else for that matter.
I told you, I’m recovering. It will be quite a process.
What about you?
What about Jesus: maximizer or sufficer?
On the one hand, he did say, “be perfect, therefore, even as the Father is perfect,” but he also said, “do not worry.”
So, which is it?
Hard to believe, I know, but I really think there is a middle way. Excellence is a good thing. The question is, to what end? Why am I maximizing? Do I want people to think well of me? Do I have fear that I won’t control an outcome? Am I afraid that someone else will get ahead? Do I really care first, and only, about the glory a situation, choice or decision can bring glory to God?
Tough questions. Is there a way I can take God seriously, but not myself? I think it’s possible. I need to hear that message at this time of year, because there’s a lot of “gear” out there. There’s not nearly as much love.
What if the goal of our Christmas celebration this year could be pretty simple? What if it could be about The Message, not just The Tree? I’m thinking that there really is a way to make Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope our priorities this year.
Is “stuff” blocking the path to those priorities? Time to say “Good Enough,” and let it go.
I think The Book says, “Neither Christmas lights, nor cards, nor schedules, nor pressure, nor advertising, nor traffic, nor baby wipe warmers shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” Something close to that, anyway.
May this be your most joyful, most fun Christmas ever.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
A “Christmas Letter” currently making the rounds on the internet, author unknown:
10 Ways to celebrate Christ's Birthday A letter from God to His children:
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short.
I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU.
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