Lord, I may have only about 10 minutes, if that, for this entry. It's Your birthday week! What a whirlwind it has been, and it's not over. Still, it was a good week, but I am tired. I just wanted to connect with You briefly before the craziness of the weekend and the New Year commences.
So, I didn't do as well as I wanted in keeping an Advent journal, but I did read the Advent devotional almost every day. It was John Piper's "Good News of Great Joy." He quoted Tim Keller at the end, and I cannot get the quote out of my mind:
"Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves."
Oh, yes. John Piper's final meditation talked about Jesus's humility and servanthood as noted in Philippians, which he called a Christmas text. Well worth pondering, which I guess is what I am doing.
Well, not to be rude, but I really should get going. The family won't understand the huge delay. If only they knew that I need some time alone to journal...but George particularly would want to read what I write, and it is intended ONLY for You.
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Dear Father, my impulsive but courageous and good-hearted nephew Joe did something incredibly stupid recently. He totaled a police cruiser that he was driving to a domestic dispute by running a red light. Please, in Your great mercy so powerfully illustrated in the Christmas story, spare him the awful consequences of losing his job. He was foolish. We all know that--even he knows that. But we have all been foolish. Let this be an example of great grace, or wonderful forgiveness, of second chances and the opportunity to start again. Please allow him to hold on to his job because he loves it, because his family needs it--and him, and because You are trying to get into his life. We know that this is something that we can give to You to weave into Your plan for his life and ultimately his relationship with You--his salvation. In Jesus's name~~Amen.
