The Calm Before

Saturday night for many people who do what I do is a very stressful time. I'd confess that it has been for me on occasion too. After all, when your task the next day is to say a word for God, there does tend to be a certain tightening up.

But sometimes just the opposite happens. This week has been a blur, with the death of one of our members, and care for those left behind basically consuming most of the week. Great honor to be invited into their lives to help them walk through the valley of the shadow though.

So when tonight rolled around, the preparation factor wasn't what it usually is. Normally, I can write a sermon after researching it, sketching it out, and gathering all the ingredients - in two hours.

Tonight, after very little prep during the week - a lot of reflection, just not a lot of scholarly work - 1 hour.

Now I just have to pray I deliver it well.

It's the calm before..