Whoa, Nelly!!!

Monday, I enjoyed a 45 minute conversation with a fellow pastor (who shall remain nameless...just in case he'd rather not be associated with me!!!) and received a lot of encouragement from just "talking." We talked about church issues, pastoral issues, and some political issues. Basically, we jumped from one subject to another and just "chewed the fat." It was really a great way to start the day and week. However, I have to be honest about one thing. While visiting with (fill in the blank), I found myself worrying about wasting time. I kept thinking of all the "things" I had to get accomplished and probably did not enjoy our conversation as much as I could have (though I did enjoy it). Yet, part of me kept saying, you need this. You need to slow down and take some time with people. You need to get rid of some "things" and enjoy the world God has blessed you with. You need relationships, encouragement, and some relaxation. (Now, don't get me wrong, I know the Bible teaches us to work. But it does teach us to rest too!) And so, I don't feel guilty about taking 45 minutes to visit with a fellow pastor who maybe needed some encouragement too. In fact, I think I have "stumbled" upon a major fault of mine - "busyness". I like to make sure everything is just so-so, but many of those things would be just fine without me. I think maybe I should start slowing down and taking time for people more deliberately. And thanks (fill in the blank) for visiting with me Monday. I really, really needed it!

Can you believe it?

Last night my son, Levi, graduated from pre-school. How is this possible? It seems just like it was yesterday that Jennifer and I were praying that He would live. (He had many problems his first year of life - but now you would never know it!). I'm starting to realize that the time I have with him (and Savannah) is short, so I better make the most of it. I think I need to go outside and make more mudpies with them. I probably should take some time off and go swimming with them. I need to push some church work aside and enjoy a Bible story with them at night.

I think God is working on me through my children, but I'm, obviously, a slow learner. I hope and pray that I can be the father they need and take time to spend with them doing "daddy stuff."

Well, at least I've done one thing right for them. I've brought them up in the ways of the Lord as best I know how. However, I hope as they grow, I'll grow, and we'll all grow in the Lord each and every day.

God bless all of you parents!