focus in the midst of chaos
Written by Ju-En Thlick
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:3
My dad would be the first to tell you that he’s an introvert--never a man of many words or even hobbies. You name it – he probably wasn’t interested. As far back as I can remember, before and after his busy day at work, he just loved reading his newspapers, news magazines, books, and especially the Bible. After my dad retired from his job as an electrical engineer about fifteen years ago, we made sure he had his tablet and PC set up with access to every major online news subscription he wanted, but we were still worried about what he would do with his new freedom.
A few years, and more than half a dozen grandkids later, our whole extended family (I’m one of five children) was gathered for Thanksgiving back in Virginia. The house echoed with the chaotic yet mellifluous sounds of screaming kids, video game blasts, cake mixers, talk about Black Friday deals, and everything else associated with big family get-togethers. That’s when my dad pulled me and some others aside and showed us a thumb drive. His eyes were as wide with excitement as any of the toddlers in the house.
“What’s this?” we asked.
“I’ve been working on a book with mathematical proofs using information from the Bible, historical documents, positioning of the Star of Bethlehem, astronomical records, and the Hebrew and Julian Calendars to prove the true date of Christ’s birth. Can you all look at this manuscript and tell me what you think?”
I skimmed through a few pages and saw lines of differential equation after equation. I had no idea what was going on. I was thinking to myself that NOBODY would buy this book.
It didn’t matter.
My dad was so happy to involve us in his passion and joy – in his search to know God more.
That’s my dad. He tuned out all the craziness around him and wanted to share his individual Christian journey with me.
A few years, and more than half a dozen grandkids later, our whole extended family (I’m one of five children) was gathered for Thanksgiving back in Virginia. The house echoed with the chaotic yet mellifluous sounds of screaming kids, video game blasts, cake mixers, talk about Black Friday deals, and everything else associated with big family get-togethers. That’s when my dad pulled me and some others aside and showed us a thumb drive. His eyes were as wide with excitement as any of the toddlers in the house.
“What’s this?” we asked.
“I’ve been working on a book with mathematical proofs using information from the Bible, historical documents, positioning of the Star of Bethlehem, astronomical records, and the Hebrew and Julian Calendars to prove the true date of Christ’s birth. Can you all look at this manuscript and tell me what you think?”
I skimmed through a few pages and saw lines of differential equation after equation. I had no idea what was going on. I was thinking to myself that NOBODY would buy this book.
It didn’t matter.
My dad was so happy to involve us in his passion and joy – in his search to know God more.
That’s my dad. He tuned out all the craziness around him and wanted to share his individual Christian journey with me.
Reflective Question for the Day
Are you being deliberate in stepping aside from the busyness that surrounds Advent
to build your relationship alone with God and your relationship with others close to you?
What personal spiritual joys can you share with those around you?
Ju-En Thlick’s favorite holiday movies are Elf (even if it’s watching by himself) and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. One of his favorite treats is buying a whole Japanese-style strawberry shortcake (sometimes chocolate) Christmas cake from Nagomi Cake House on Western Avenue near Redondo Beach Blvd. He and his family recently started a new tradition of going out to a nice Steak House (different every year) for Christmas Eve dinner and driving near and far to see Christmas lights afterward.