How did it get to be November 5^th already? I planned all year to start the “We Gather Together” series on November 1^st. What on earth have I been doing? Why can I not “get it together?” How can I ever encourage others if I cannot get myself on track? Aaaaaaak!!

Now, before you pick up that phone and dial my number, I am fine; I am not depressed; I am not even worried. But, I do need to explain myself.

On Sunday, November 1^st, I had a posting ready to go. Well, it was ready to go in my head. And, as I awoke on Sunday, I found that my head was not operational. Sometime during the night a cold had settled in my chest and sinuses and had robbed me of the possibility of doing any thinking. Yep, my plans for November 1 stayed locked in a brain and body which had been overtaken by a tiny, little bug.

When I woke on Monday, I knew that I needed to get to my computer ASAP. But, other activities crept in and my writing schedule was delayed. Soon, a battle waged between my plan and the overpowering forces of the cold and my ever growing “to do” list. Monday was gone before I got this thing done.

I won’t bore you with how I got to this moment in the week. Just know that you have been in my thoughts (and prayers).

Somewhere between the Halloween candy and the New Year’s Day bowl games, we are all going to experience a moment when the plan we have crafted, so very carefully, will not be completed.

• You may find yourself wondering if anyone will know that the angel costume you dressed that sweet child in for the Christmas program was, just a few weeks ago, a ghost costume with a little voice saying “boo.”
• Or, perhaps, if you place the KFC chicken into your own baking pan, smearing the sides of the pan with the drippings from the wax paper, you will fool your in-laws into thinking you can cook.
• And, maybe the early morning sports radio program will give you enough of the highlights of the “big game” that you can join in the conversation at work without having to admit that you slept through the entire second half.

Let’s agree that this year, this holiday season, we will forgive others (and ourselves) for not doing it all. This year, let’s start five days late knowing that it really is all about being thankful, about family, about joy, about mercy, about giving, about fresh starts, about sharing. And, most of all, it is all about love delivered in the form of a frail newborn in a humble stable with the echo of heavenly praises coming from fields guarded by shepherds.

Rest easy, Friend:  “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”  (Ecclesiastes 3:1)