One of my favorite
stories as a child was Margaret Wise Brown’s Scuppers the Sailor Dog. Scuppers
has, as one person describes it, “an irresistible urge to sail the sea.”
His boat is small and doesn’t look very seaworthy. Although shipwrecked
for awhile, Scuppers repairs his boat and heads back out on the water.
After stowing all his gear where it should be “he is back where he should be –
a sailor sailing the deep, green sea.”
About two months ago I told several friends that it was time for a break. I’ve not done a good job keeping the Sabbath, so I needed a week or two to step back, pray, journal, and breathe. So after spending a week in Florida with our family I -after making some last minute arrangements- set off on a 13-day repositioning cruise across the Atlantic to England. The timing was awful because I missed the weekend when Michael and the Chancel Choir shared such a beautiful gift with us. But scheduling is a tricky thing because life in the church never stops – so I went.
I walked the decks of the ship, I journaled, I worked out, I read mysteries and theology, and I watched the ocean go by.
Before I left, I wrote a short article that was to have been included in the weekly emails but somehow that never went out. So I thought I would tell you about the trip this week -and let you know if you weren’t in worship last week- that I am back!
A couple of tidbits and observations.
First, I love the water. We skirted the edge of a gale storm that had 60 MPH winds and 26 foot tall seas. I would stand on the deck of the ship and watch the bow cut into the swells and send foam flying. Others complained about the storm, but I found it invigorating.
Second, one evening I participated in an “open microphone” comedy club event. After a string of other “lay comedians” had told jokes about pastors, priests and rabbis (most of which were beyond the bounds of good taste), I stood up and said, “I may ruin your evening but I am a United Methodist pastor.” People roared. (I didn’t think that was so funny!) Then, I told one story and sat down. People came up to me through the week and said, “You’re really funny. Are you sure you are a pastor?”
Third, I found myself now and then in the middle of conversations that were pastoral…holy. People didn’t know I was a pastor, but I would strike up conversations, ask about their lives, and soon we were often going deep into family stuff…soul stuff. It is amazing how we become aware of God’s presence and the miracle in each life when we slow down and listen.
Frederick Buechner says God calls you to “listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.”
Bruce Epperly writes, “Our lives are a holy adventure in which each moment provides new possibilities for Spirit-filled living. Take a moment to relax, breathing in God’s calm presence. In this quiet moment, remember the moments when your life most reflected God’s creativity. Experience the joy of being fully alive. Take some time to journal about these spiritual high points if you wish. Give thanks for God’s creative presence in your life.”
God finds me in a special way when I get on or near water (or in the mountains). God finds me when I am with those I love. God renews me in worship and also when I slip away for a time when I am not responsible for problem solving or leading. God refreshes me when I can let myself focus on being more than doing.
It was good getting away. And it is very good coming home.
About two months ago I told several friends that it was time for a break. I’ve not done a good job keeping the Sabbath, so I needed a week or two to step back, pray, journal, and breathe. So after spending a week in Florida with our family I -after making some last minute arrangements- set off on a 13-day repositioning cruise across the Atlantic to England. The timing was awful because I missed the weekend when Michael and the Chancel Choir shared such a beautiful gift with us. But scheduling is a tricky thing because life in the church never stops – so I went.
I walked the decks of the ship, I journaled, I worked out, I read mysteries and theology, and I watched the ocean go by.
Before I left, I wrote a short article that was to have been included in the weekly emails but somehow that never went out. So I thought I would tell you about the trip this week -and let you know if you weren’t in worship last week- that I am back!
A couple of tidbits and observations.
First, I love the water. We skirted the edge of a gale storm that had 60 MPH winds and 26 foot tall seas. I would stand on the deck of the ship and watch the bow cut into the swells and send foam flying. Others complained about the storm, but I found it invigorating.
Second, one evening I participated in an “open microphone” comedy club event. After a string of other “lay comedians” had told jokes about pastors, priests and rabbis (most of which were beyond the bounds of good taste), I stood up and said, “I may ruin your evening but I am a United Methodist pastor.” People roared. (I didn’t think that was so funny!) Then, I told one story and sat down. People came up to me through the week and said, “You’re really funny. Are you sure you are a pastor?”
Third, I found myself now and then in the middle of conversations that were pastoral…holy. People didn’t know I was a pastor, but I would strike up conversations, ask about their lives, and soon we were often going deep into family stuff…soul stuff. It is amazing how we become aware of God’s presence and the miracle in each life when we slow down and listen.
Frederick Buechner says God calls you to “listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.”
Bruce Epperly writes, “Our lives are a holy adventure in which each moment provides new possibilities for Spirit-filled living. Take a moment to relax, breathing in God’s calm presence. In this quiet moment, remember the moments when your life most reflected God’s creativity. Experience the joy of being fully alive. Take some time to journal about these spiritual high points if you wish. Give thanks for God’s creative presence in your life.”
God finds me in a special way when I get on or near water (or in the mountains). God finds me when I am with those I love. God renews me in worship and also when I slip away for a time when I am not responsible for problem solving or leading. God refreshes me when I can let myself focus on being more than doing.
It was good getting away. And it is very good coming home.
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
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