It seems that so many of us are feeling overwhelmed by the “busyness” of the season – too much to do and too little time. We feel tired and guilty and as though somehow we’re missing the true meaning of Christmas.

Our “Decision” magazine arrived the other day. I always read the back page first because that is where “especially For You” from Ruth Bell Graham is. I love her writings and deeply admire her life. This month’s devotional seemed especially appropriate, and I wanted to share it with you.

Feeling Trapped?


“The man, asleep in the trash bin, was awakened with a jolt. He had been scooped up with the trash by a 21-ton garbage truck. Knocked unconscious, he came to – upside-down and squeezed into an area where a human being shouldn’t fit.

The truck started again and picked up two more loads of trash. When the driver stopped for a third load, he heard some hollering. Getting, out, he looked around. The voice sounded far away, and he could see no one. So he started the compactor. That’s when he heard a banging inside the truck. Thinking something mechanical was wrong, he stopped the cylinders.

The, he later reported, he ‘heard a voice saying he sure would like to get out of wherever he was.’ Fortunately the driver saw to it that the man was freed.

That is the way I have felt at times: too much to do, too far to go, and not enough time or strength to do it all, so that I ‘sure would like to get out of wherever I am.’

Someone has said, ‘God does not promise strength for uncommanded work.’ Perhaps you’re attempting things He hasn’t commanded. When I began to feel compacted and cried for help, God showed me how my proprieties had gotten distorted. He was to come first. Then I realized that I needed to be liberated from wherever I was. I needed to get off of boards and committees, write no more books or articles for the time being and accept fewer outside responsibilities.

This was God’s answer for me. He has a solution for you as well.”

I’m going to try to get my priorities right. I have so much to do this season, but I don’t want Jesus to get relegated to the bottom of my to-do list. Far too often it’s – do all these things first and then if there’s time – Jesus. I want to have a grateful heart at all times, but especially during the Christmas season. I want to spend time with the One who has given me all I could ever ask for and so much more. When I give gifts, I want to give with an awareness of the gift that He has given me. I want my attitude of heart to be like those of the people in “Whoville”. If all the trappings are gone, I want Christmas to come anyway – and come more gloriously than it ever has.

Christmas Blessings,
Linda