My vacation ends today; I'm back to work. Last week I had the opportunity to visit all of my family on different days. I also had the privilege of hearing my brother preach at his church in Mason, Ohio. But today, I'm back in the office. I'm sure that other people also have apprehension when it comes to returning to work after time off. What will be sitting on the desk? What voice mails and emails will have to be returned? What did I forget to take care of before I left?
I've only been back an hour, but I must share that God has been very gracious to me. Already I've heard nothing but really good news about the services this past weekend. A co-worker came in and talked to me about the special way God has worked in his life this past week. We prayed together and I also felt God's Spirit blessing both of us. Waiting on my desk was a letter from a parishioner telling me how much my sermon two weekends ago meant to her. That letter was such an encouragement to me. Also, a friend of mine from Colorado sent me a book as a gift, and it was sitting on my desk waiting for me.
I know there's much work to do over the next two days. In a few minutes I have to meet with the health care insurance provider and make a decision for the benefit of all our employees. Later today I'm scheduled to meet with our web designer. And while I wrote the basic outline for the Thanksgiving Eve service before vacation, I still have a lot of work to pull it together before tomorrow night. And somehow, in the midst of all this, my senior pastor and I have to get together so we're on the same page.
However, I want to write this quick post to acknowledge just how good God is and how fortunate I feel being able to work here. This is Thanksgiving week. We are not only to remember all the great things God has done in the past, we are also to acknowledge him as our only God, the one who will deliver both now and in the future. (Check out 1 Chronicles 16.)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the way you have welcomed me back to work today. May my work bring your pleasure this week.