....Holidays.....

Pray for me. I need strength & patience this weekend. You see, I am a country boy. I am at home out in the sticks cutting firewood , bouncing around on my tractor clearing trails, or just sitting and watching the habits of the varied wildlife that roam our hills.....But, this weekend, I will have to brave the 6-lanes, the frantic "lane switching" of the hurried city dwellers, and the throngs of "stampeding consumer hoards" to take my wife shopping in the big city.

I always approach this as a "research project" of sorts. Much like a biologist that observes wildlife in its setting, I observe the city dwellers habits and attitudes. I am always amazed at the hurried pace of life! Rush here, ruch there, grab guickly, do this, do that... Little time for greetings or pleasantries.

I am reminded of how Jesus, after spending time in Jerusalem (or other urban settings) would take his disciples and withdraw into the wilderness (a lonely place). I'm guessing to recover from bumper to bumper donkeys and all of the Pharisees fighting over the Hanukkah shopping markdowns!