Over the last few weeks, I have had the joy of taking a break from life. Now don't get me wrong, I love being busy and in the company of others, but it has truly been wonderful doing nothing. I have had no classes, no meetings, and only a couple appointments. Really, I have had my own sabbatical.
The most I have done over this vacation was read fun books. This has probably been the first time I have been able to do this since...well I don't even know when. I finished the entire Harry Potter series and loved it. I am going to try and read it over again to create a Bible study for Junior High/Senior High youth. I really don't understand how anyone who has read them can call them demonic or non-Christian. They really encompass so many biblical truths.
Life is quickly beginning again this weekend. I have a paper to write and then have a senior seminar about all those important practical things we don't address about being a pastor until now. While I am excited to being living in the "real world" again, it has truly been an amazing experience to take time to rest, relax, and just enjoy staying up late reading and watching movies.
These three weeks have demonstrated to me just how important self-care really is. For me this means occasionally taking time to simply be by myself in the quiet. Whether this is a few hours, a few days, or in this case a few weeks (like that will happen again!)...this is essential to my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This last semester really was full of stress trying to balance school, the approval process, and surgery. I didn't' realize how much it stressed me out until it was over. Looking back, I see I really didn't take the time I needed to rest. What a great lesson to have before first call.
So, today I will take a couple hours to enjoy the last bits of freedom, and then work on my paper. I will use these last few weeks as my reminder that we as Christians are called to honor the sabbath each week, and will do my best to follow this practice over the next semester.
Wish me luck...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
School was always so tiring for me, so I'm glad you got a nice break!
I truly look forward to my Sundays. They are not generally "lazy" days, but they are different from the rest of the week -- no work for most of my family, no shopping at all, no TV, etc. We try to make it a sabbatical as much as possible. I don't know how people survive without it! Good luck!
I am so glad you had some time for just "you." Sometimes I get up really early and people think I am crazy but the house is totally quiet and I love it. I love to enjoy that quiet time with coffee, the computer, the tv, the quiet or whatever I choose to do. But it is just my time. It is important!
Post a Comment