I got to the retreat I was going on with my carpool partner, opened the back door to get my bags and said, "Uh-oh..."

I left my computer case in the backseat of my car! I had a slight panicked feeling: how was I going to tend to emails, to the things I "needed" to do, to these THursdayTHoughts?!?!

And then the Holy Spirit calmed my spirit and I thought - well, your top priority this week is to connect with people and deepen relationships. I was going on this retreat with pastors and deacons from my area to be with them.

I had my phone, if something went really wrong. And otherwise, well... it could wait.

It wasn't so much of an uh-oh after all.

What it has made me think about is how much we try to cram into our lives on top of the things that are most important in the moment. And, most likely, end up taking us away from the priority.

It was freeing not having this keyboard taunting me with all the "things" I thought I had to do.

And so, it was a gift. It was a gift that I left something behind - maybe even a gift of the Holy Spirit. And even if the leaving behind was just me being forgetful (which is really what it is) - it was absolutely a gift that I was able to lean into the opportunities that then presented themselves.

God was certainly in this - even if I can't precisely name it. But God was in it because there was a sense of freedom and lightness. And those always come from God.

Peace this week,

Bishop Barbins