Pastor’s Corner “The Gift of Vacation”

The first day of my vacation, as I sat on my front porch with my tea, my dog, and Jesus, I realized I was feeling anxious about the next two weeks. What should I do with my free time? How should I organize my days? What’s the best use of this freedom?

(Yep…it’s rather revealing that for me vacation could induce stress rather than joy. This is one of several reasons God commands sabbath. Some of us would never choose rest, and instead keep striving to “get ‘er done,” living under the delusion that it all depends on us. This lifestyle, of course, exhausts us and the people around us, and robs us of experiencing the goodness God intends—his grace-full care for us, his care for those we love, and even his care for the work he gives us. Sabbath reminds us this is his world, his work, his people, and ultimately it’s all up to him.)

As Jesus taught me long ago, I brought my anxiety to him, telling him about the worry I felt, and asking him what he would say in response. After some silence, these words came to me: “Do what you want, not what you should.” What a gift!

Here are a few of the things I wanted to do, and did do:

·       Extended time with my wife and daughters, especially around the dinner table and playing games in the evening.

·       Long walks in the woods with my dog, and discovering the beauty of

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. (If you’ve never been, go!)

·       A slow read through How to Listen to Jazz by Ted Gioia, and listening to jazz.

·       Renewed encounter with Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer by Catherine Doherty, and new understanding coming through Litanies of the Heart: Relieving Post-Traumatic Stress and Calming Anxiety through Healing our Parts by Dr. Gerry Ken Crete. (You’ll be hearing more about both books one day.)

·       Long, slow mornings on the porch with Jesus.

Again: What a gift!

I was able to enjoy that gift thanks to the faithful presence and work of Pastor Sallie, our staff, our Wardens and Vestry, and our Ministry Leaders. I’m reminded of the final words in one of our Compline prayers: “…and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends on each other’s toil” (p. 64, BCP 2019).

I’m grateful for the gift of this vacation, and grateful to return to the common life of our Immanuel family, offering to our neighbors and our world much needed Refuge, Reconciliation, and Renewal in Jesus.

Your Pastor in Christ,