Getting Back to Normal

It is September, and getting back to normal is the order of the day. However, just the sound of the words brings both anxiety and relief. What is normal? The answer is greatly debated because normal looks different for everyone. For me, normal is getting in rhythm: getting to bed on time, lying out clothes the night before for the next day, waking up in time to have my devotions and prayer, making my way to the gym three days a week, walking Joy, checking and returning emails, reading, writing, listening, coordinating trips to the airport to pick up Murphy, planning meals so I do not totally blow my calories for the day - reversing all the good the workout did, and waiting on God. I am almost exhausted just thinking about all of this.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 speaks about getting back to normal. "There is a time and season for everything under the sun." This text reminds us that time must be balanced with wisdom.  Normalcy comes when we learn what's important and what's not. Most of us do not learn this great life lesson until sickness comes, tragedy strikes, stress overtakes us or a loved one sits us down for real heart to heart.

As we move from the hot summer heat to the cooler days of fall, the question to be asked in our effort to get back to normal is, "What does God want for my life?" Once we have the answer to this question, we can start prioritizing downward. Getting back to normal takes practice, intentionality, and, for me, much prayer. The demands on life seem to be limitless, yet we as Christians must model a practice learned from Howard Thurman "How to Center-down."

 

To sit quietly and see one's self pass by!

The streets of our minds seethe with endless traffic; our spirits resound

with clashings, with noisy silences, while something deep within hungers

and thirsts for the still moment and the resting calm.

With full intensity we seek, ere the quiet passes, a fresh sense of order in our living;

A direction, a strong sure purpose that will structure our confusion and bring meaning

in our chaos. We look at ourselves in this waiting moment-the kinds of people we are. The questions persist: what are we doing with our lives?  What are the motives that

order our days?  What is the end of our doing?  Where are we trying to go?

Where do we put the emphasis and where are our values focused?

For what end do we make sacrifices? Where is my treasure and

what do I love most in life?  What do I hate most in life and to what am I true?

Over and over again the questions beat in upon the waiting moment.  As we listen, floating up through all the jangling echoes or turbulence, there is a sound of another kind-a deeper note which only the stillness of the heart makes clear.  It moves directly to the

core of our being.  Our questions are answered, our spirits refreshed and we move back into the traffic of our daily round with the peace of the Eternal in our steps.

(Thurman "Meditations of the Heart")

 

I invite you to test this practice this fall. Let us also continue to pray for those whose lives have been disrupted by natural disasters that in the midst of tragedy they might find normal days. Attending regular worship, participating in prayer groups, journaling, sitting in silence, studying Scripture will help us return to normal or a new normal for the people of God.

• Rev. Ashley

Commission/Committee Members and General Assembly Commissioners, alternate and YAADS sought

 

The Commission on Representation (COR) will be meeting in late September to begin their work to fill all the presbytery commissions and committees. Also they will be reviewing applications received to be a General Assembly Teaching/Ruling Elder commissioner, alternate or Young Adult Advisory Delegate. If you are interested in any of this, please fill out the personal information form or the application for GA. If you have questions about any of the positions, please talk with Stated Clerk Pam Prouty or Sara McKay, chair of the COR.

• GA Commissioner - YAAD Forms 
• Personal Interest Forms for Presbytery Service

Discipleship: Pam Bush, pambush@woodstocktel.net , 507-823-4697

Evangelism: Anne Veldhuisen, aveldhuisen@gmail.com, 507-215-5617

Mission: Richard Lawrence, richlawrence66@gmail.com , 320-260-9639

Mission: Darlene Scherbing, darlenescherbing@yahoo.com , 320-292-2610

Spiritual Leadership: Tom Voigt, tvoigt1960@hotmail.com , 612-875-6398

Stewardship: Rick Hauge, rdhmnara@mchsi.com , 507-829-5227

Worship: Darin Seaman, pastordarin@fpcstcloud.org , 320-251-8277

The following congregation within the bounds of our presbytery is currently seeking pastoral leadership:

The Ministry Information Forms for these opportunities are posted on the Church Leadership Connection web site --  http://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/clc/

Witnessing for Peace and Wholeness in a Land called 'Holy'

For more information, including a sample conference schedule and information from past conferences, visit presbyterianmission.org/mosaic or contact the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program at 800-728-7228 x5805 or 502-569-5805.