I was looking forward to this past week.  We had just finished two long weeks at work.  We just had wrapped up 7 Easter services at Oak Leaf and the week before that we had just completed our annual Egg Drop.  Both were great events. So I was looking forward to a week with a little less in it trying to get a focus on what was coming ahead.  Here’s what happened….

  • Just because you have a week planned where you think it is going to be a little quiet so you can get ahead in your work, you still need to create margin in your schedule.  I had a couple of impromptu meetings with people that needed to talk to me about some important issues in their life. Having margin is a must if you are going to be a pastor. If you are wrapped up in schedules, meetings, and appointments then you have missed the point….
  • When planning time with the family, you have to do just that.  Being home for a couple of extra days during the week is a blessing to me.  Although being a guy I will take advantage of this and spend all my time working on my honey-do-lists. SOOO, plan the time for the family as well.  Focus in on what you should be doing with them and the list will get done.  Oh yeah, that’s called creating margin at home as well.
  • When I look at the relationship between Heather and I, there are a lot of areas on which we can improve.  But I am so encouraged to have someone like her.  It has only taken us 11 years to figure out a few things and it will probably take another 11 to fix them.  Marriage is that way.  You are in a covenant relationship with someone.  There is no breaking it.  So the only option you have is to figure out how to enjoy the other person.  By the way, side note, Heather and I celebrated our 11th anniversary on Egg Drop day.  Can you believe that they wouldn’t give me the day off? :)
  • There are times in your life when you can’t avoid being edgy….recently Heather caught me at this.  So after confessing it I was to figure out what it was.  Basically, along with the church busy season and all the other work that continues we were also lacking sleep.  Charlee had been fighting a routine.  If you do not sleep well, for whatever reason, you need to work on it.  It affects your judgment on all things.  If you are one of those who is like, “Well, I don’t need that much sleep”…um, you’re still wrong.  You can be much better at what you do and besides God planned for you to rest.  Research is on my side so don’t argue that one.  Besides, for some of you, I wonder what you are worrying about that you won’t let God take care of.
  • Lastly, after a pretty decent week my friend Russon lost his dad in the middle of the night on Tuesday.  It was an unexpected thing.  When talking with him, I found that there are no words that make everything right.  Here is what I could offer…empathy.  I lost my parents 6 years ago.  I know what it feels like.  So in the midst of crying on the phone and praying on his behalf he knows that I am there with him.  There is a club out there that not just anyone can be a part of.  It’s the club of losing a close family member.  You don’t get in until it happens to you.  Then when you are in, if you are a Christian, it’s an ok place to be.  A Christian has hope and assurances from our God but they also get this: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).  God allows our past hardships to help others through their tough times as well.  I know that Russon and I will have some talks and tears in the future together.

It has been a week of mixed emotions.  Most of the time life is like that.  I hope that you to will experience the peace of Christ in times like this.

Remember to take a break today and reflect on what He is showing you….