World’s shortest sabbatical

I just had the world’s shortest sabbatical. It has become obvious to me that I misinterpreted the Lord’s intent for me in regards to faithfully writing Words for the Day every day. Since I announced my sabbatical I have not had a moment’s peace. Last night I even dreamed about it. I dreamed a friend of mine (who does not attend church and receives His only exposure to Christ via WFTD) was talking to me and urging me to continue for his sake. It was a haunting feeling because there is some truth in the dream

Many of you have written to me and expressed to me that you enjoy it and hate to see it go. One person expressed to me that he was 86 years old and his wife was 86. He has an uncontrollable shake in his left side and his wife has a pacemaker and serious heart problems, not to mention arthritis and severe nerve damage that even makes walking an arduous and painful experience. He told me, “Even though we are broken down and tired and sometimes do not feel like it, we still teach our Sunday School classes just like we have for fifty years”. He went on to tell me that he and his wife have a friend in church and they print out WFTD and take it to her and she enjoys it so-o-o-o much. Arghhh! OK — Ok –I get it! I get it!

Most importantly and on a serious note three different people whose exposure to WFTD has in part led them to come to know the Lord and accept Christ as their Savior have individually written to me expressing sadness that I would not be writing it anymore. These letters are in addition to the many others. Now to me that is serious stuff. Even if only one soul was in part led to the Lord via WFTD, writing it for fifty years would be well worthwhile and an honor.

Therefore I intend to continue writing WFTD whether my sword is dull or sharp and whether my demeanor is rough or polished. In fact the dull sword is an apt description as to how I sometimes feel. I am an imperfect Christian like so many other poor slobs on earth just blundering along hacking my way through life trying to find peace with God and serve my intended purpose. Sometimes I say and do the wrong things, but God forgives me and I would hope that you would do the same.

Most importantly it is obvious to me that God uses me and (sometimes even my recorded mistakes and weaknesses), in WFTD to accomplish “His” purpose in encouraging others. Throughout recorded time in the Bible the Lord has utilized weak people to further His purpose. I hope that none of you who are not currently singing in the choir, or teaching a Sunday school class, or otherwise serving the Lord are staying away because you perceive yourself to be too weak. God tells us in the Bible that His grace is sufficient for us and that His strength is made perfect in weakness. We should rely on Him and not ourselves for when we are weak then we, (through Christ’s power), are strong.

One thing will never change about me and that is that no matter what my weaknesses are, I intend to obey the Lord. So get your ear muffs ready as I “must” continue.

2 Cor.12:9
And He said to me, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in weakness”.