Author: Ron Baker

Can you think ahead to spring?  I remember those days around Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  I was an elementary school student.  Looking out over the prairies, I would ride with friends down the back trails.  The iron bridge was there to traverse – hoping no train was on the way.  Of course, I never ventured across!!

Just a short ways out of town was a small pond.  Nothing unusual.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  Just a skim of water over the newly unfrozen soil. 

But what I really enjoyed was the music.  The frogs were loudly voicing their presence.  The harmonies were a precursor to opportunities in the future of singing and harmonizing. 

And then you would spy a tadpole swimming towards a metamorphosis.

That’s the life of spring!  Soon to appear!

Which has made me ask the question.  Where lives the frog in the middle of January??

I have been monitoring my cycles in life.  “Know Yourself,” an apt description for further exploration of life and leadership.

By cycles, I mean those times when my forward motion – meaning the rush ahead to fulfil various visions and dreams – are interrupted by the need for the treat of rest and replenishment (what is often called a re-treat). 

Today was a retreat day.  Not that I stopped my activities altogether.  Rather, I went slowly into the work and extracted myself from an end of the day commitment (moving that to another time – which is actually better for both parties!). 

And now I’m at home, writing this blog and resting. 

And fully expecting tomorrow to be back to the tasks at hand.  With joy and excitement for what is to come.  There are so many great opportunities that I don’t want to miss any!!

For the last few years I have enjoyed listening to the superb young musicians from our area.  They really come out and shine at our music festival.  This year’s activities will take place the early part of March with  the final “Festival of the Stars” on Friday, March 16th at our local United Church.

Now, I get a bit of a preview.  My wife is playing for one student, so I’ve heard our piano ringing with the accompanist version.  I’m looking forward to hearing this combined with the actual instrument. 

Saturday I was at my office in the morning.  Working on our annual report.  Words and formatting get rather tedious after a while. 

Who comes by but a young friend who has been playing clarinet for a number of years.  She is there with her teacher and accompanist.  Nothing I like better than to sit back and hear a concert free of charge.  I opened my office door and let the music flow.  What fun!!

And people are worried about what will happen with music in our next generation?  Not me!!!

The end of the night is here.  As I sat at work, after 10 hours, I was ready to continue after supper.  Having said that, in my mind, I took the pulse of my body. 

No extra umph!  No push beyond the drive home!  As I stepped in the door I decided to shed the day and rest.

Chicken pot pie, salad and squash.  What a great supper.  Then an evening, with some quiet – although the evening news is probably the most excitement of the day!!

And what does tomorrow hold?  I’m hoping to work through our annual report and come up with a format that is both pleasing and not too hard to create.  I’m excited about the various reports – showing a momentum towards God and a love towards our neighbours.  Not a bad report to be pondering!!