Yearly Archives: 2014

Although the forecast “mixed precipitation” did not occur, the use of that term puts a bit of scare into our farming community.  We expect that frost may come, and rain and dew and even a sprinkle of snow may be present – but when they combine and continue the harvest may be in jeopardy!

Which reminds me that God knows and we don’t.

For years my father served, first as a farmer and then as a weather forecaster.  I suppose one could ask how they related.

Both occupations required a look to the skies and a reminder that we are never in control.  We can manage as well as possible, based on past observations and scientific projections – but we cannot create, sustain or tell for sure (and I mean with 100% accuracy) the future.

When you see both careers side by side, you are soon struck with their similarities.  And perhaps a reason for my father’s firm commitment that there was a God!

They say a job change is transition in the higher echelons.

Change has become a much discussed item in my head.  And with a number of people around me.  There is no easy description of loss – for to change is to lose something.  There is no easy description of gain – for to change is to gain something.

Whether negative or positive, equilibrium changes.

My first week of work as an associate pastor at the Kindersley Alliance Church was unexpected.  I began with a statutory holiday.  Actually, I began with a recovery day – I had gained a cold that would plague me during the week.  Even a Thursday night meeting was touch and go until the actual meeting time – with a bit of planning on my part to be sure that the hours prior to the meeting I did not slow down and tuck myself in bed.  And Friday morning I declined an outdoor volunteer work time, hoping to not aggravate my cold.  Saturday (my planned day off) ended with a youth BBQ where I enjoyed some football – the point at which I figured perhaps my cold would survive a bit of strenuous exercise.  Sunday morning the residuals of my cold were still present – although I could croak out a few vocals for the worship team I was on.

As I look back, my first week was not full of the stellar days one would hope to carry into a new job.  I wonder what this next week will hold?

Yes, my cold has been not the best.

What a nice way to say that I have been resting lots, trying not to have to do to much visitation and talking with people, and generally trying to recuperate.

Monday was a no voice day – at least not that I could generate a great squeak or two during the day!  Besides constant coughing.

Last night was good rest and a bit more solid sense of recuperation.  And a few coughs.  That I take as a good sign.

Coughs indeed are not enough.  Best not to have any at all.

In this past while I have been monitoring the stress in my life. 

Not that life doesn’t always have stress.  In fact, good stress gets the title “eustress” to distinguish it from “distress”.

Yesterday I did a self-evaluation, and talked a bit with my doctor about this.  Thankfully you can call on others to provide support, and I have been making enquiries over the last while from family and friends and others whom I trust.

The scale for acceptable levels of stress was much lower than where my self-evaluation placed me.  I realized this was happening and have maintained some disciplines (prayer, exercise, journaling, retreats, etc.) that probably have kept me in somewhat good order.

But there are days, and I want to explore this further.  So off to find out where to head next!  A good journey begins with checking the map out first to see that the destination is actually somewhere you can reach!  And then finding a few stops along the way that make the next stage of the journey attainable.