Mark Sorensen I loved Saturday mornings when I was a kid. I would hop out of bed and plant myself in front of the TV and get my weekly fill of Looney Tunes cartoons. Anyone else remember those? I eagerly followed characters like Bugs Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, Foghorn Leghorn and Porky Pig. Seriously. I loved watching those cartoons. But there are two characters who – in my humble opinion – never got the publicity they deserved: Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog.
You remember them, right? I loved watching this cartoon. The day started off like normal. Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog would arrive at the same time, both wish each other a cordial, “Good morning,” take their time cards and punch into the job, and then the mayhem would ensue. See, Sam protects the sheep everyday. Ralph? He just wants to eat them. All of them. But he never really gets away with it. Sam had too much brawn and smarts to ever let Ralph accomplish his goal of stealing the sheep. Then, the day would end, the work whistle would blow and Ralph and Sam would leave telling each other, “Good day.”
Day after day, same scenario.
It was routine.
It was, well, it was ordinary.
Last Sunday’s message on the Innkeeper reminded us that, each day we have the extraordinary ability to make room for Christ in our hearts and lives. But, here’s the thing: We must be intentional about making room.
Is it possible that we’re so busy amidst the “routine” that we miss the unexpected, unplanned and extraordinary moments that God may be dropping in our midst?
Think about that. The alarm goes off. Time to get up and start the day. First? Check Facebook. Shower. Grab coffee. Check Facebook. Drop kids off at school. Go to work. Lunch meeting. Check Facebook. Back to work. Pick up kids from school. Drop off kids. Grab a few groceries. Supper. Check Facebook. Help kids with homework. Go through the “get ready for bed” process with kids. Tuck them in. Collapse in bed at end of day. Repeat.
But, what if… What if, today – at this very moment – the angels are still shouting, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace among those with whom He is pleased!” What if, right now, we can let the Good News of Immanuel, “God With Us,” break up the routine of the day and be captured and captivated by the extraordinary news of God’s gift to us all?
So today, friends, may we pause. Let’s look for God at work in the midst of our lives and shine the Advent candles of love, hope, joy and peace to all we see. And in doing so? May people see the extraordinary light and love that God has for us all this Advent season.
