Good to be back
Dear Friends,
I am so glad to be back with you after having been away for the last 3 months. I am grateful for the staff who have covered my areas of responsibility while I have been away. I am grateful for those from various committees and groups who have carried more than their fair share. I am grateful for all the notes, messages of welcome, and general good vibes that have been a part of my return from sabbatical. I am grateful.
I am not complaining about the calling of pastor. It is a privilege and an honor to serve in that capacity here at DCPC. It is challenging, however, to get chunks of time with family. We don’t really get weekends. We often have to cut vacations short. Family time is regularly interrupted by pastoral care emergencies and the “business of the church.” That is just part of the gig. And so I have decided that I do not feel guilty for being away these last three months. They have provided me and my family time to reconnect and to do things that we would not otherwise have been able to do. We made up for a lot of lost time.
Having said that, I realize that time is of the essence each and every day. The business of the church or of your job or of everyday life can just become “busy-ness.” It should not become a priority over quality time with family or of meaningful service to God or anything else that you might choose to make a priority. My sabbatical has given me plenty of opportunity to remember what things are most important. I hope you will join me in committing to a re-ordering of things if that is necessary in your own life. Sometimes it is for me.
Of course, we know what is most important. Jesus tells us in Matthew’s gospel when he reminds us to “seek first the Kingdom of God.” I am so glad to be back here at DCPC with you where we can do that together in community.
To God be the Glory!
Robert
