Great Plains Daily Devotional for 12/9/2020

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

2000-2004 I had the privilege of editing the annual Advent booklet comprised of stories from the congregation. Most were of Christmas family events; some were secular or random. Mine were none of the above.
 
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS EVE, we might as well have forgotten the Midnight Communion. My daughter, Suzi Anne and I wanted all of us to go to church after we opened our gifts, however, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and brother didn’t want to go with us. Acting a little self-righteous, we stomped out stating that we would pray for them.
 
The service that night presented the four phases of Christ’s life. Each minister took a different phase. Our dear friend Jack read the pre-crucifixion section and got tangled up in his words -- before the crow crocked (start over) … before the crock cowered (start over) … I mean before the cow crooked … (stop) -- If he ever got it right, I have no idea. The rest of the service was a blur.  It was dead silent. Out of 400 people, packed like sardines, not one other person thought it was funny besides us. So, I’m laughing on the inside, afraid to make eye contact with anyone, especially not my daughter. After a few minutes of talking myself out of hysteria, I could feel Suzi’s body shaking, and it was all downhill from there. I’ll save you the pain. Thank goodness they didn’t pass the sacraments -- imagine. We were to serve ourselves leaving the sanctuary.
 
We left in a hurry, barely stopping for elements.
 
There is no spiritual or theological point to this devotion, just that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around -- and God can use us, each and everyone. And I do think He has a good sense of humor!

Prayer for Reflection

Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8