For those of you just tuning in, you can find parts 1 and 2 in the archives from last year around this time...
For those of you who need a refresher—myself included—here is the definition we are working with...
Today I am revisiting the notion of balance. It has been a while since I have consciously thought about balance. Truth be told, I had been living a balanced life for the majority of my senior year at Drew and it felt extremely good. I managed to nourish my spirit, be kind to my body, and get the grades that I desired (I graduated Summa Cool Nerdy). The last couple of weeks have been overwhelming (in a good way) and it has meant laying aside some of the habits and practices that I had implemented to assure that my body is in top shape. I haven't gone for a run since the day before graduation and I can feel it. To put it bluntly, I am out of shape. Already. But alas, unlike years past where I have slipped into bad habits without notice, I am keenly aware of what is going on and I plan to do something about it.
When I say plan to do something, I don't mean a three or four or twelve step something-or-another to achieving balance. I mean, in the words of Nike, just doing it. I am still gearing up for a 10K...this time with my running partner in crime Nikki G. We were going to begin training on June 1st, but with preparation for ordination and wedding planning, I haven't been able to find the time or space or energy to stick to a schedule. Being the understanding woman that she is, she has given me the grace and space to start on July 1st, after the wedding when I'll be able to begin my new life with my new (and wonderful) hubby with a new regimen.
While on the subject of new regimens, I am also excitedly anticipating learning and watching and giving as I assume the role of Assistant Pastor of the Bethesda Baptist Church. I am excited to begin a new preaching preparation regimen—an extension of that which I started in my Advanced Preaching class. I will not be preaching every week, but I firmly believe that my relationship with Christ will be deepened and my ministry will be strengthened by daily communion with God and daily conversation with the Scripture. Part of my role at Bethesda will be leading worship on a weekly basis. Worship, in my understanding, is not just something that we do on Sunday mornings, but something that we be and do each and every day of the week. I don't want to dishonor God by faking the worship funk on Sunday when my worship life is lacking. God deserves our best...always...and I am delighted to begin new practices that give God the ultimate glory.
Speaking of giving God glory, the final thing I'd like to lift up is my desire to balance home and everything else. That sounds big, I know. But my desire is not simply to be a wife, but to be a good wife. My husband to be and I—putting God first and in the center—will be discovering together what it means to take care of ourselves and each other while fulfilling our many other obligations. To this I pray, "Come Spirit. Come." And I know that with God's guidance that our union will remain "upright and steady" for the days and weeks and months and decades and forever that we will spend together.
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