I remember.
And that is good.
God calls us to look back. To see what has upheld our days in times of weakness. To rehearse what has brought us great joy in times of excitement.
In approaching days where doubt is overwhelming, a return to faith and faithfulness can be the best antidote.
To my friends who this week struggled, may you remember the past!
In the next few days, I am moving from being a senior pastor to being an associate pastor – all in the same institution. The transition has not been easy, nor should I expect that it would be.
I am coming to recognize the power of symbols to solidify change.
Yesterday I moved into a new office space. Newly painted, newly arranged, just plain new.
Our church secretary and I had to work out the intercom on the phone. We had known it existed but had not had to use it. The old (senior) office was mere meters away – the new one is more than a yell’s throw away.
I reduced my library to a few shelves. The remaining volumes are designed to assist with my new responsibilities (which are still somewhat in flux).
My files are being culled. I expect the next few weeks will see much in the way of shredding.
My mind is being reset. I can’t help but be confronted with a new life every time I walk into my office. Which means I’m focusing on the important (at least I hope so). Not a bad thing.
This week has been one of switching office space at the church. With a change in responsibilities (I move from Senior Pastor to Associate Pastor as of September 3rd) has also come a symbolic change in space!
The painting 0f my new office was done yesterday – I helped to break down the office in the previous days. And, no, I did not do the painting!
Today I will try to complete the changeover – still a few things to move.
In the midst of this I am also trying to understand rest and replenishment. Our holiday season had some days of rest, but with a funeral attached to the last week, a number of my resources were given to arrangements and dealing with grief and mourning.
And so, today will be a continued day of work. While that will be the center of activity, I’m also praying for restoration, refreshment and replenishment (the three “R’s” of health in our society of busyness and stress!).
Well, we are now home!
If I could have planned this holiday, I think I would not have.
On second thought, having gone through the last three weeks – I couldn’t have planned a better holiday.
I had opportunity to work with my wife, assisting her in her chosen career of house painting. I was given time at a cabin to rest. I spent time with family – learning new family history while helping to arrange a funeral.
Was this all rest? No. There were times where I felt exhausted.
Was this all happiness and good times? No. The funeral of a sister-in-law I had known for decades can be draining.
How will I express my thoughts on holidays when I am asked? I think I will talk of family bonding, of service and of pleasure. Of a new view into the life of others. And of God’s grace in planning what I could never have planned!