Its Been One Month
It’s been quite the month! As Jenni, the kids, and I embarked to come to Fleming Island UMC, I can remember having an overwhelming calm upon entering into Fleming Island. Wonder filled the air as we traveled around the town looking at different landmarks. Being a part of a neighborhood was nerve racking but also exciting and having the most beautiful backyard that we have ever had was something that I didn’t know that would bring me so much peace. As we have gotten settled (still not completely unpacked), we have already fallen in love with this place, this space of calmness and love. As many of you have discerned, I am a pastor who believes that communication, community (worship, fellowship, missions), and Communion are the most important values of a church. And with this being the focus, I know that we will continue to grow together. As you finish reading this, what gives you calmness and love? What is it that you feel has called you to this place and to do in this space?
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Although Howard may disagree with me. I love to drive, and that’s a really good thing because I drive a lot! Driving solo to work or to a clients home etc. provides me with time to think about the task I am doing, tasks that I still need to do, which seems like the opposite of calm but allows me time for perspective and planning which makes me calmer. I am always open to seeing glimmers everywhere!!! I used to post these whimsical things on FB but I have stopped for the most part. The other morning it was three deer just off the road nibbling in the grass. Nothing special but I love to watch nature and I love having the drive to find these little things. I love passionately music - probably not what most would consider to be music, but music to me. It may be loud and obnoxious and menacing maybe but it makes me happy which makes me calm. And finally and most importantly while all of this is circling in my head I have time to be with God, sometimes cursing like a sailor in traffic, but he keeps me safe anyway. Those thoughts of my special clients and pray for their continued safety, the safety of my friends in law enforcement and fire fighting, safety for my family because we have our own issues within it. Prayers for those far away colleagues having problems with their health or bad relationships, and sometimes just to pray for those I don’t even know, the homeless guy with the 3 dogs that I just tossed a couple bucks to, the countless unnamed others suffering from ailments and abuse. And I pray a lot to make every effort to change what I can to make things better. I pray so that when I go to sleep that I can sleep and not rethink the tragedies of the day/week/year and for the most part it works again providing me rest and calm for the next days challenges. Because those challenges come hard and fast sometimes and I don’t always have that calm or grace to deal with them properly, no calm found there.