Busyness

The very 'busyness' of ordinary life today can make us weary and feel overburdened, and that can be a cumulative experience, which gets harder to bear as we get older.

Over the next few days we are in a frantic rush to finalise our Christmas shopping, getting out those last cards, checking the larder for all the items we need for the Christmas dinner -and on it goes.

But what really grinds us down very often isn't simply hard work, but an underlying weariness of spirit which saps our energy and enthusiasm for life. We can lose our sparkle that we long for each Christmas season and even the simple tasks and challenges, which are meant to be wrapped in love, seem to be too much to face.

If we want to keep a proper perspective and live life to the full, we need time in the midst of our 'busyness' to renew our spirit and draw on the living waters of God's grace and presence which truly refresh and invigorate us. The prophet Isaiah was well aware of that when he said that God 'gives strength to the wearied and strengthens the powerless. Those who hope in the Lord renew their strength. They put out wings like eagles, they run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire.' And Jesus also says to each one of us, 'Come to me all you who are overburdened and I will give you rest.'

Lord, give us the grace not to be discouraged by our weariness but to hear and respond to the coming of Your Son where we will be refreshed and strengthened by His grace and presence. Amen.

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Preparing For Christmas

Suffer The Children

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