One indication that it’s time for me to take a few days of leave is when I have to make deliberate choices to bypass the first exit towards Houston and Galveston and instead steer towards the second exit which leads north, to work. I can’t say that Houston would be listed within my top ten getaways, but the sign acts as a siren, calling me to remote locations that don’t include a desk, a computer or deadlines. And a few times my equilibrium has been confused by mistakenly taking the higher ramp because of fog or distraction, but each time I turn around at the first exit and realign myself to the appropriate direction. I might not consider the sign so inviting if I was reminded of the work involved prior to vacation: creating lists, detailing directions, tying up loose ends, and communicating unresolved questions and orders. That’s at work! Another set of actions takes flight at home with washing, packing and cleaning. It’s a wonder we even look forward to vacation! Even though I normally have a difficult time releasing work duties, once I leave the gate for vacation, poor work is like a forgotten toy that one has outgrown, left in the corner, unattended and disregarded.
My prayer for the congregation?
Dear God, We retreat to your arms and find peace. We often make lists of exclusions and complexities that postpone our response to your call. We may be drawn to leave our daily routine, but then we allow our habits to supersede and we return by mote. Let us grow past our adolescent behavior and leave behind our childish ways. Once we step into your realm and leave our will behind, let us find that we do not miss the restrictions that once held us captive. Those ideas won’t have the same hold or allure; pushed aside by the desire to focus on our new life. Amen.
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