Friday, November 09, 2007

Rev. Bird Dog says he gives up the ministry every Monday following Easter Sunday. He says he gives it up, without a backward glance....until he gets rest.

Is Daylight Saving Time a governmental reminder that we are exhausted? Around the Casserole home everyone is worn out. We go to bed earlier and stomp around cranky through these short light days. If I didn't love them, I'd holler at them about being crabby and turned inward through the early Winter days.

James Howell writes about "Staying Power" in the Oct. 30 Christian Century. Howell tells the story of the night he decided to leave the ministry which turned out to be the night he decided to stay in ministry. He doesn't say when this night occurred but it may have been in November.

I imagine he was tired. Aren't we all just aching for a deep sleep and several good naps?

It's Advent almost. I will put aside Luke and the current lectionary to sprint with delight to a new year of texts. Not that I haven't gotten more out of the Luke year than I ever have before but because I am tired of trying to compose sermons to bring Jesus' words to a tired and worn-out world.

I head off to Manhattan next week for my Annual Shopping, Food and Theater Pilgrimage. Miss P. and I have nothing planned: no tickets to see Radio Music Hall or TV shows or anything. She's worn out, too.

Ministry is tiring. Frustrating. Provoking of anger, rebellion and chaos. Writing sermons makes me feel like a beginner every week even though I have years of experience.

Stay and rest, people. Stay and wait, people. Stay and watch, people.

St. Casserole

10 comments:

Rev Kim said...

Thank you so much for this. I also read that article in CC and was quite moved by it. I recently posted about being weary and dry, and I imagine I will be revisiting your post often during Advent, and remembering to stay & wait, stay and watch.

Towanda said...

amen.

Jules said...

Thanks be to God

PPB said...

I will warn Manhattan to leave the light on for you.

Sue said...

Amen.

Enjoy your Manhattan pilgrimage. Will there be shoes purchased? If so, please post pics.

((((st. c.))))

Jody Harrington said...

Dear St. Cass,
I hope you have a wonderful time in NYC. Restorative. Hopeful. Relaxing. Energizing.

The better to tackle Advent with, my dear.

Love, QG

Unknown said...

What fun! Wish I could join you!

Lori said...

Ohhhh, New York. I love New York. Please see a really good show or 5 and post one of the playbill pictures!!

And if you get over to L'il Itly, please have a cannoli for me! Chocolate on the outside, vanilla cream inside. Ummmmm Yummm.

And my best to Lady Liberty!!!

Have an excellent excellent time and come back refreshed and renewed and rejuvenated!

more cows than people said...

yes, thank you for this.

so well said.

and have a blast in the big apple.

Reverend Dona Quixote said...

November is my least favorite time of the year [because of the increasing absence of light] although I much prefer the Thanksgiving holiday over Christmas.

All I want to do is hibernate like a mama bear! Everything in my body and spirit tells me I should hibernate --however my church tends to frown on such things.