Rector's Ramblings

By The Rev. Jim Stewart

     It is that time of the year again when we need to slow down and take time to spend with God.  Christmas is almost gone and we will look at the Epiphany when the wise men came to be with Jesus.  But can we slow down?  It is NFL at its peak, college football playoffs, NBA is coming into full swing, the Olympics, School events, annual meetings, and any other number of things catching our interest.

     I know for me it is difficult to clear my mind and do what is fun.  I find myself thinking about all the things I need to get done in the shop before the weather starts to warm up and I need to work in the yard.  I have concluded that I am addicted to working as many of us are.

    I spoke to my wife and we both agree it is time to slow down, after all we are both in our mid 60’s and have rebuilt 5 homes and many years in the coal and gas industry.  This is the year that we are going to slow down and enjoy what we have.  It is time to go fishing, enjoy kayaking, playing in the garden, taking photos, playing with the dogs and just enjoy life.  If the house is done it is done stop worrying.  God has given us so much to enjoy that we should stop and enjoy what He has given us.

     At the end of this year, I found that I had a lot of vacation stacked up and barely had enough days to take all of it.  So, I took the days and basically worked from home.  This is not healthy.  So, this year we will take it during the summer and enjoy what God has given us.  I have been told you only live once, but that is wrong we only die once.  We live every day and that is up to us what to do with it.  The harvest is in, now enjoy the spoils.

     As a church it is also time to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  This year is the 110^th year since the Episcopalians in Worland were a mission church.  In 1951 we had our own building, and we are now a church that started 75 years ago.  In 1961 we moved to the hill and continued the journey in our new church. That was 65 years ago.  This could officially be considered our 75^th anniversary as a church in Worland Wyoming.  It is time maybe when all our snowbirds come home to celebrate our accomplishments.  As was said in Ecclesiastes this is our time to laugh, to dance and to enjoy life.

     It is the time to relax into God’s arms and enjoy the gifts He has given all of us.