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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!

One thing that I enjoy in life is doing different things.

I remember driving to work and finding that every day began to look the same.  I started to take a slight detour on the way – just a block or two without causing any great delay.  Amazing how life perspective changes.

These next few weeks will be that type of jog around another block.  I’m looking forward to working with my wife on some painting jobs she has.  We will visit relatives and perhaps see the beach of a lake.  Although we call this holidays, in some ways these are just different ways to breathe each day. 

And I look forward to how this will spice up my life in this next while.  Now the question is, will this be hot chili or soothing vanilla!

We had set the time for a game of golf.  My step-son and I were to end up on the links for nine holes.  This was to be a time for him to learn more of the game, and for me to enjoy swinging a club once again.

The day opened with cloudy skies that opened to the sun off and on.  By lunch time I was hoping for enough time without rain to get us on and off the greens without incident.

So, around 2:45 we headed to the golf course.  Of course, there was only one threesome in front of us – with an electric cart.  And at the first burst of rain they were off. 

We sat in the clubhouse for a few moments waiting for the rain to subside.  Some moments passed and we stepped onto the course.  The manager had called and told the staff no one else was to be allowed on the course.  We were told we could try the course, but that a raincheck  was available. 

Two holes later we were soaked to the bone, had driven a few good balls, and in the end had a tale to tell. 

And maybe that’s what golf is all about!