Thursday, March 4, 2010

Life in Lent



I really, really meant to do better and blog more frequently. I treasure my blog friendships and wish I could figure out how to get here and blog with regularity.
I don't feel any better about my IRL friendships. I mean well, but so often catching up with friends takes a back seat to work. I don't do well in the area of recreation, either. I want to knit more, really learn to quilt, enjoy the fabulous city in which I live. I really don't want to be a one-dimensional person.

How do you do it? Do you schedule time to blog and to connect with friends in real life? I've found that scheduling time for exercise is the only way I have been able to build a discipline that comes with benefits. How do you make time for your important relationships?

I say often (almost to the point of boredom) that I am keenly aware of the passing of time. I don't like the feeling that life and time are passing by with little chance to savor the joyful parts...

As I think about the person I want to become, the whole person, who embraces so many gifts from God-- health, friendships,a wonderful family,a good marriage, great kids,a wonderful congreation, a great environment in which to live, a darling puppy-- I want to enjoy all of it more, instead of just being a weary pastor.

That's my reflection, this day in Lent. I see a very weary pastor in the mirror.


Flickr photo.

12 comments:

Terri said...

my husband and I are computer laptop geeks...so we are often found sitting on the sofa after dinner, watching tv and using our computers...and I alternate between the computer and knitting - because watching tv is really just background noise, and occasionally entertainment...that's how we do it. (but we do it together...LOL)

and, of course I'm not working, so lately I have all day - or rather I can somethimes lose an entire day blogging...sigh

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Yes, to all you have said; the relationships, the play, the deepening...and where do those happen outside of the church gathering.

It really is creating a new paradigm for a pastor.

Perhaps you already have a spiritual director, but if not, I'd invite you to explore that possibility.

Barbara B. said...

If only there were a couple more hours in the day... :)

Unknown said...

I'm asking similar questions.

Anonymous said...

It's a spiritual discipline for me - one of the few that I feel less than whole each day if I don't do it. It helps me clarify my thoughts, identify my stressors, and reflect.

It's one of the last things I do before I go to bed, usually.

Diane M. Roth said...

I know how you feel. miss you too. IRL and on line.

I'm not blogging the way I should...

Deb said...

I'm not a pastor, but I too feel like there is never enough time for anything but have-to's. I have been working hard on recognizing that things like "me" time must become have-to's.

Jan said...

Weary one, so glad I came back to check. It's always so good to find your postings. Love to you.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

i think b/c it is boonieville i blog more frequently than i should... and my office is at the house... and now i too am thinking alot about the passing of time, the kind of woman i want to be... and there's soooo much of pastoring that does not fit that picture...

i think it's okay to shape a new way of being as a pastor... we do not have to do it all. we DO NOT. *clink* so here's to something new, scary, and delightfully life-filling!

Katherine E. said...

I do SO hear you! I've been away from blogging for months and am just now determined (ha!) to return to it. May we both keep up!

will said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Finding a proper balance is a constant struggle for me. I hope you find a way to refresh and not be so weary.