Have I Not Reminded You About the Sabbath?

Practice what you preach, lady!  These are the words that run through my mind this morning as I think of how many times I have advocated to all of you to take a sabbath!  Rest!  Relax!  Enjoy your life!

Or you might end up sick. Or at the very least worn out, burned out, and no good to yourself or others.

I could see it coming a mile away, but truly there was nothing I could do about it!  Our son and daughter were both in the High School Musical (State Fair by Rodgers and Hammerstein, which by the way was totally AMAZING- of course I might be a bit biased) and she made it to the Regional Spelling Bee 3.5 hours away in the midst of three performances and 4 late night rehearsals.  So when it was all over, guess what happened?  She got sick- Flu and Strep.  And then I got sick- just the flu for me, but that was plenty to slow me down.  There simply was no time to rest in between daily Track and Field practices, Wednesday evening Lent services, council meetings, other meetings, cooking, cleaning, and walking the dog!  So I didn't do what I always tell you to do- rest!  I simply didn't have time.

Our bodies can only handle so much you know.  Eventually they will stop us in our tracks and nothing that has to be done CAN be done because our bodies rebel against us in order to slow us down!  It's as if our physical self says to us "If you don't stop, I will make you stop!"  And did it ever!  So in the past few days I have had time to sleep, read, pray, and ponder.  It's no fun being sick but it does afford a certain luxury of time that otherwise I would not take.

Now I know that I have people around me who try to slow me down. . . and in general I would not label myself as stubborn, but when it comes to being busy, or doing too much, well let's just say I have a hard time listening to the good advice to take it easy.  I will fill every moment with something to do.  I will complain of being bored if there is nothing to keep me busy.  I will create something to do if there is a lull in the action!  And when things get out of control and I refuse to stop the madness then God gently (or violently in the case of the influenza virus) says to me, "Have I not reminded you about the Sabbath?" 
Have I not reminded you to rest? Slow down? Chill out?

Ummm. . . Yes, Lord.  I hear you.  And for now I will listen, probably because I have to, but I will try harder to take time to relax and "just be."  In the meantime, thanks for always being with me Lord, for loving me through sickness and health.  I appreciate and cherish your love and care.  I will try to do better, really. . . but right now the dog needs a walk.

Serving Within Your Passion

Yesterday began another season of Track and Field.  For me that means getting the great opportunity to work within my passion.  Not that working in the realm of "church" isn't working within my passion, but working with young athletes in the sport that is my first love is always an amazing experience for me.  The sights, the sounds, the atmosphere of the track makes my brain create a rush of endorphins which in turn gives this small town pastor/coach a sense of well being and purpose.

So today, after demonstrating a bunch of jumping drills, my legs and gluts are sore.. . but it is the best feeling in the world- that soreness that comes from working the body.  It is the best feeling in the world to be teaching and coaching the sport that I competed in myself for over 10 years.

In the church, why do we fill ministry positions with people who have no interest or calling to serve in those capacities?  We are simply asking for burn out, frustration and anxiety.  When we think about how the Holy Spirit calls us into ministry through the waters of baptism, that means the Spirit calls us to work within our passions and giftedness.  (Okay God did call Moses to speak and he wasn't such a good orator but God gave him the words eventually!)  What I mean is that as the church we might want to help folks discover their giftedness and point them in the direction of serving in those areas.  Along the way they will find other places that they are gifted, their confidence will grow, they will be more willing to take a risk at something new but it is a process that I think needs to start in their area of comfort.  If we thrust them into an uncomfortable position then we risk eliciting emotions of fear, insecurity, even anger.  (They might even get so frustrated that they disappear for awhile!)

There is something for everyone to "do" in this ministry of the kingdom.  How can we help disciples embrace their "discipleship" in meaningful ways?  When the baptized are working within their passions they are sensing a greater fulfillment, a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.  And I for one believe that with that spark will come greater opportunities to serve that they never imagined they would be engaged in!  But the path of discipleship is trod one step at a time and that first step is often the most difficult one to take.

So what is your passion?  
Cooking?  Then help in the kitchen with the next meal or figure out a creative way to use your cooking skills to serve the kingdom.
Handy-man kinda stuff?  There are many possibilities here for service- inside and outside of the church building.  (Our goal is to get outside you know.)
A sport?  Do something similar to what I do. . . coach your kid's team and do it in the name of Christ Jesus.
An art or craft?  Create something that helps others connect to the heart of God.

Get the idea?  But first, your passion has to be uncovered!  Once you identify it, then it's time to share and we do this in the name of and for the sake of our Lord and Savior!

Image credit: joecrazy.com

Sabbath Rest Brings Peace

By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day Because on that day herested from his work, all the creating God had done. 

Genesis 2: 2-4 The Message

This week I had a minor surgical procedure. . . nothing to worry about but it afforded me a rare opportunity to kick back and stay put!  Also my car is in the shop getting a few repairs done so I am basically "stuck" at home with no plans to go anywhere.  Like many of you, I have a very hard time slowing down.  I am driven to be moving all the time, from one place to the next, meeting other's expectations (or more precisely meeting what I think are their expectations for me).  The past couple of days have been such a respite for me, not only healing for the body but healing for the soul.  Often times it takes getting sick for me to slow down. . . and that is not a good thing!  It doesn't do me any good, my family any good or the people I serve any good!

So in the past couple of days I had time to figure out a drawing program on my computer that I've had for a couple of years and never had time to master (the picture in this post is something I made from this program- simple I know, but fun!) . . . I have read some pages in a couple of books I haven't had time to get to . . . I took a nap each day (thanks to some pain meds), I visited with a friend in my living room over coffee (she had tea) and I felt the creative juices that sometimes get stifled due to busyness emerge once again inside my soul.

Next week will begin an all out push toward what will not end until May turns into June as track season begins.  Along with that is the High School Musical that both of my kids are in which means late night practices.  Also there will be a trip to Ohio U for the Regional Spelling Bee thrown in there.  All good and wonderful things!  But the rushing and running will be a bit overwhelming to be sure.  So, for now, I take the remaining few moments that I have of solitude and silence to draw enough energy to get me through Lent, Track and Field Season, Holy Week, Easter, and whatever else decides to beckon my attention.  For now, I am resting in the peace and tranquility of God's love. . . his call to a time of sabbath rest.  And my heart is joyful, my anxiety is very low, I feel at ease with myself and the world.

Do you think this is why God calls us to take at least one day of rest each week?  Do you suppose this is why vacation and time away is so very important?  How are you doing at resting?  How are you doing at carving out some time for yourself, to simply "be?"  How is your level of creativity?

May you find peace and respite in the busyness of life's journey.
Yours,
Amy