Saturday nights

I've been doing this for 20+ years: getting myself ready on Saturday night for Sunday morning. For some guys, it may be easy, but for me, it's always been a challenge. I want to make sure I'm ready mentally, emotionally, physically, and of course, spiritually. I rarely take any kind of social engagement on Saturday evening--I like sticking close to home. I power down, read a little, maybe watch something interesting, and always, always, spend at least an hour reviewing and praying over my message.

I realize that God can do what He wants with whatever . . . I just want to make sure I'm as available to Him as I should be. I don't want to miss out on one blessing He wants to grant. It's an odd realization: that He can mend the human heart without me, but chooses to have me participate with Him in the process; that He actually chooses to somehow limit what He does based on my faith, willingness, preparation, and availability. Pretty confusing stuff!

So tomorrow, lots of people will show up with incredibly complex needs and deep wounds. I feel the weight. I realize I can't really help and heal them. I only want to point adequately to the One who can. May it be so.