It has been a long time since I last posted. I wanted to give a short update to let you know that I have not dropped off the planet. There are a few reasons for the long gap between posts.
For one thing the Christmas season is always busy. Church and family life seem to pick up pace during those weeks around Christmas. Due to COVID this season was not as busy as usual, but it was still full. We had planned to travel and visit family, but COVID restrictions postponed those plans. Still, we had a good Advent and Christmas celebrating Jesus’ first coming and longing for His second.
As a pastor, I also find the end of the year and the beginning of the year full of meetings. There are final committee meetings and first of the year meetings. There are reports to write, decisions to make, and plans to plan. That leaves very little time for writing blog posts.
Another far more personal reason for not writing is the winter season itself. Whether I actually have seasonal affective disorder or just battle with winter blues, the winter months are challenging, especially living in the dark north of New York. My New England, Canadian, and Alaskan friends, relations, and acquaintances might call me a wimp, but growing up in West Virginia has made the last six winters in the north a bit of a challenge. It is not the cold that bothers me. It is the darkness. Sunset was at 4:47pm, and we are about a month past winter solstice. It is difficult for me to concentrate in the winter. That means the mind-power I do have is absorbed by family needs, pastoral care, sermon preparation, and almost everything other than blogging. The good news is that Jesus is greater than the winter blues. By His grace I am seeing improvement. I am finding that having a rhythm to my life like normal sleep patterns, healthier eating, exercise, and as much social interaction as COVID will allow has been helping me work through the darker months.
I hope to return to writing again. My posts may be further spaced than they were in the summer and autumn, but little-by-little I would like to develop better writing habits. I really enjoy writing. It is one way to think through life’s challenges, encourage the body of Christ, and make a big deal about Jesus.
Thanks for supporting this blog by reading and liking whatever posts I can get out. I also appreciate your prayers. Please take time to pray Ephesians 1:15-23 and Ephesians 3:14-21 for me, my family, and our church family. I can’t think of a better prayer list!
Thanks for taking time to read and pray.
Grace be with you all.
Bill Whittington
Bible Living Blog 