Message from Pastor Pete 

Last week we headed to Shannon's folks to celebrate Thanksgiving. While we were there some strange events unfolded. I played several games of Hearts. I joined others in watching Jeopardy (without multi-tasking once). I slept in. I relaxed. I even laughed at REALLY bad jokes (What is green, has 4 legs, and will hurt you if it falls out of a tree on you??? A pool table! What is brown, has 4 legs, and sees just as well out of either end? A horse with its eyes closed!! Yes, my mother-in-law's jokes!).

I love playing cards with others. I enjoy hanging out and telling fun stories. I don't even mind groaning at really bad jokes. Shouldn't these be normal activities in my life? Shouldn't they be things I do on a regular basis? Why did it feel so strange to let my hair down (figuratively, of course) to relax and enjoy life?

Sadly, last Friday was probably the first real 'day off' that I'd taken in months. I've been caught up in the myth of busyness! No matter how hard I've worked, the to-do list has not gotten smaller.

It's been quite a fall: completing and moving into a new building at Peace Lutheran Church, kick-starting a myriad of fall ministry opportunities, working with new ministries throughout the synod, travelling to several overnight conferences from Omaha to LaCrosse to Watertown, SD (in a one month span I slept in 9 beds!). Throw in some cross country meets, my niece's confirmation, and the usual 'need to get done' home activities and it's gotten out of control.

I've coped with it all by entering 'purpose mode.' I've focused on getting things DONE. Every day felt like a success or failure based on how much I got done. I became a working machine with no spare minute wasted. I plowed through an amazing amount of work. I'm really good at this! Success, right?

Not so much! I didn't have time for people...I only had time for projects. I didn't have time for relationships...I only had time to 'accomplish things.' Frankly, life became pretty lonely! A to-do list is a pretty poor substitute for actual friends and family.

I truly believe that God used the fun and relaxation of last Friday to open my eyes, reminding me that life is not lived to simply accomplish many tasks. God calls me a life filled with rest and joy...not a life with my nose to the grindstone. In August on this blog I wrote about the importance of taking time to rest. Apparently God needs to keep sending reminders.

I'm looking forward to more games of Hearts...and more bad jokes! Thank you Jesus!