I am not sure how, when, or why it happened, but at some point I got the idea that if my schedule was really full I was not only productive, I was important!  Early on in my career I had a sense of pride and accomplishment if I opened up the calendar on my computer and there were more appointments than holes.  Maybe I was trying to justify myself to others, or maybe I was overcompensating for my own insecurity.  Now, if I could wish for anything, it would be more time. There never seems to be enough time to do what I need to do, let alone what I want to do.  And when I run out of time, it's what I want to do that is sacrificed.  This is stupid.

 

On Tuesday I met with and had lunch with Nancy Yancey, the director of Rainbow Village. This meeting had been set up weeks in advance.  It wasn't only something that I needed to do, it was something that I wanted to do... until it was time to do it. All of a sudden my I think I'm important schedule took over and I was feeling trapped and suffocated from everything that I needed to do.  "Is there any way I can postpone this one?"  

 

I am extremely thankful that I didn't cave to my schedule because my time with Nancy and the people over at Rainbow Village was life-giving. The phrase "kindred spirit" might sound like a weird, new-age thing, but that's what it felt like. To spend time with someone who is so passionate about the work that they do and the lives that are being changed because of that work is immensely powerful. To connect with someone you share common interests with, who has walked the same road that you have, and who laughs at my stupid jokes is an uplifting experience.  Am I behind in my emails? Yes.  Am I writing this blog later than I should be? Yes.  Do I still have a mountain of work to do? Certainly.  But my soul is full, and that will carry me through what needs to be done.  

 

If your schedule is full, does that mean your spirit is empty? Take the time to connect with others, share and laugh. It might put you behind, but without a doubt it will sustain you through what you need to do.

See you in church,

 

Chris 

pastorchris@epiphanysuwanee.org

Mark your calendar and join us on Sunday, October 25th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for food, games, a bouncy house, costumes, prizes for best costume, and trunk or treating! We will have a BBQ cook-off and a pumpkin dessert bake-off. All ages welcome! Please bring a canned or non-perishable good for the North Gwinnett Food Co-op. And please invite your friends!