December 5, 2018

I appreciate the calendar. It helps me set goals, evaluate, make adjustments and enjoy a sense of completion. January suggests a full year of opportunity. I find it easy to decide on a Bible reading plan, determine to declutter and believe that this is the year to finish some things that I have left undone for too many years.

In June or July, I do some painful evaluation as I admit that some of my hopes are still just that. Usually, I enjoy affirmation that some items are on target. Often, I need to adjust the plan into something more realistic, because 12 months seemed like a lot of time, but now there are just six months remaining.

September is always a “nudge” for me, because much of the church calendar connects with back-to-school time. In fact, some September projections have a nine-month schedule that targets the following June to finish. It is like a secondary calendar.

Then comes December. At this point, there is not enough year left to finish some of January’s dreams. Already, I am thinking about next year. But the December review brings a lot of joy as I realize some accomplishments are on schedule. I still have time to catch up on some projects: Finish that book, send those encouragement notes and anticipate an extra year-end contribution to the church.

Sometimes I wonder if anyone else needs the motivation of the calendar as I do in order to live a more disciplined life. I admire people who always seem to be on time and on schedule. For me that will be heaven – where there is no time schedule! For now, I am grateful for the calendar – a gift from Creator God that He has established and that adds each year according to the time of Jesus’ birth.

Pastor Bill Ehmann