‘Twas the night before Christmas 2009, which I will not soon forget. On Monday, December 21, I experienced a herniated disc or two in the course of doing a rather typical trunk twist. With Game Day (aka Christmas Eve services) approaching, like any world class athlete (which I am not) I contacted a trainer who specializes in chronic lower back pain. Over four consecutive days, my trainer conditioned me for Christmas Eve. On Day One with the trainer I learned that he does not have the spiritual gift of mercy! Nevertheless, his pain relief was amazing.
On Christmas Eve I experienced one of the most precious gifts I’ve ever received in twenty years of ministry. While I did my best to conceal my pain, gimp, and grimaces, etc, from 2:25 pm on, it was cause for concern and prayer for many of you. I so desired not to be a distraction from God’s unique message of love reserved for that evening. And you came to my personal rescue!
A prayer trio laid healing hands on me at 3:00 in my office to kick-off Christmas Eve afternoon; at 3:55 in the wings of the FLC stage, the band (completely unsolicited) circled me and prayed for my stamina; at 6:05 during our congregational singing of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” in service, someone came to me as I remained seated and prayed; at 7:10 someone blessed me with God’s beverage of choice—a venti Christmas blend Starbucks coffee; just before the 8:00 service, a family delivered to me a steak dinner with all the fixings; then the chapel prayer team prayed for me in person and served me communion shortly thereafter; after the 8:00 service another person laid healing hands on my back; and the 9:15 service rallied me for the finale—an 11:00 pm service that was more spirited than I’ve ever led in my seven years at BUMC. I suspect the “prayer blanket” crafted by you for me that evening covered that service as well.
I share this to say thank you for being generous in your prayers for me. Your acts of kindness blessed hundreds this Christmas; your financial gifts through our Wider Missions offering—which continue to pour in these last days of 2009—permit us as Methodists to be the only state-approved Protestant presence in Russia and to continue loving those devastated by Hurricane Katrina as other denominations have moved on to other missions. Thank you for being a caring congregation throughout the year. Personally, your prayers sustained me Christmas Eve as God glorified his name yet again; as God still proclaims, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God bless you and may you enjoy this blessed Christmas season.
Ken
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