On Wed., Nov. 9, the sun will rise in the east while over 300 million Americans prepare for another day in school or eight hours of work at the office or some other task. There will be homework assigned, meetings held and meals prepared. Your day will no doubt reflect something similar.
That morning my alarm will sound at 5:45 a.m. Like I always do, I will roll over, shut it off and try to squeeze in some more sleep. I’ll eventually get out of bed, start the coffee that Julie prepped the night before, take care of the dogs, eat some cereal and read the morning sports reports.
Next, I’ll read through The New York Times. Once I have caught up with the news of the day I’ll visit BibleGateway.com where I can read the scripture lesson I am preaching on later that week. After reading it through three times I’ll set it aside for several moments of what I like to call deep listening or meditative silence. I’ll then turn to a book I’m reading for my morning devotion by the poet David Whyte, Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words. I will have almost finished his book by then but I may reread his thoughts on maturity: “Maturity calls us to risk ourselves as much as immaturity, but for a bigger picture, a larger horizon; for a powerfully generous outward incarnation of our inward qualities and not for gains that make us smaller, even in the winning.”
The rest of the day will be filled with my normal schedule of meetings and pastoral phone calls, some long-range planning and maybe a hospital visit or two. I’ll check in with the church staff on our campus, too, making sure all is going well.
That evening I’ll lead the Bible Study for young adult men meeting in the church library and when the day is done Julie and I will catch up with each other. We will “check in” as she likes to say. We will watch the news, share a glass of wine, a bit of bread and prepare for a night of rest.
Just before I lay down I will say an evening prayer, especially focusing on the newly elected President of the United States of America. No matter who that is I will be grateful for the love, mercy and grace of God freely given to all and the hope that begins and ends with those sacred gifts.
Grace and peace to you,
Glen
