Share five things that are happening in your life, personally or professionally or some of each, in this season of life.
1. Summer visit. Our son who lives Out West is in town for a visit. He's here for a week and it is delightful to have him home! We had a great visit at my sister's home this evening with family and friends. Lots of laughter and stories. All that, and the evening was just warm enough without being too warm, and the bugs were elsewhere. Yup. A wonderful summer evening.
2. Hospital visit. I visited a friend/parishioner in the hospital on the way to the family gathering. I made a few CDs for him to listen to. I picked the most hope-filled songs on my iTunes library and put them on two CDs called "Hope Won" and "Hope Too". I hope my friend enjoys my eclectic - very eclectic - taste in music!
3. Self-care. I am surrounded by wonderful people who care about me and call me to task when I don't take care of myself as well as I know I should. One gave me a wonderful gift this week (see post below) and another reminded me that if I was going to get a massage next week, I would need to actually pick up the phone and make the appointment. She even wrote the phone number down for me and put the post-it in my hand. Yes, sometimes I need a bit of a nudge, but I am so greatly blessed to have people around me who will kick me in the bee-hind as needed when I need to do something good for myself so that I can be in better shape to help others.
4. Sermonizing. In 13 years of ministry, I've never had a July like this one. So far (yes, I know it's only the second week and things could nose-dive big time) I'm feeling really good about both last week's sermon and the one I have prepared for this week. What's up with that?????? Typically, and unfortunately, my July sermons have a history of being a bit dry. Maybe no one else notices, but I do. In other years, I've drawn on theological and spiritual fumes to get those summer sermons written. This year? So far, so good! Go figure.
5. Hurting. ~sigh~ You knew this one would be here. My appointment at the pain clinic is set for the Fall, so hope is on the horizon, but in the meantime, most nights I fall asleep on an ice pack. I'm doing the best I can to take care of myself through it - see "self-care" - and I know that's all I can do. When I get low, I need only look around me and see how fortunate I am, given the kind of suffering that is happening in the lives of so many people that I care about. Perspective is everything.
That's my summer so far. Vacation time is August!!!
2 comments:
It's such a shame you have to wait for yr appt. And that ice pack doesn't sound like a very fun sleeping companion : ). I love to hear what's on yr hope playlist! Eclectic, eclectic, bring it on!
And perspective is hard, I admire you for attempting.
I'll post the music lists when I find a moment. Thanks for asking and for stopping by!
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