My schedule over the next few weeks will be chaotic to say the least. Over the course of the next three weeks I will travel from my home to Glorieta, Austin, El Paso, back to Austin, and then home. And in the middle of all of this travel, I will be attending the New Mexico Conference of the United Methodist Church’s Annual Conference, and then taking a third course in my DMin program at Austin Presbyterian Seminary. As I write this, I think I know why I am feeling so overwhelmed. The travel alone is enough to kill a person.
While I am a little stressed out, I look forward to seeing old friends and reaffirming new friends. I look forward to experiencing the energy that new adventures bring into my life. Through all of the struggles, there are glimpses of excitement and spiritual renewal. There is no time like the present to remember and give thanks for little nuggets of hope that come into my path. This is what feeds me and keeps me going. These journeys remind me of why I dared to change the course of my life and step into something completely different.
My hope for today is to not let the preparations for the journey be an incredible source of stress as I journey. I must move forward giving thanks for what lies ahead of me. I hope to remember that when things get tough, I will recall the kindness and humor that are present in my life. I hope to remember the friendships that make me aware of the many people that stand behind me and support me through all of life’s ups and downs. Praise be to God for the people that love me and make me aware that I am more than I ever though that I could be.
From a Pastor's Point of View 