Seventeen airplane take offs and landings. 2257 miles by car,
including crazy-jammed California highways. Uncounted miles on the water in
various forms of boats. During my sabbatical, I’ve journeyed to the Galapagos
Islands, the Amazon rainforest, the Sierra Nevada mountains, Sanibel Island,
Hays (KS), and even Graceland Mansion. I’ve seen sights ranging from the finest
of God’s creation (oceans and mountains) to the most mundane of human construction
(California highways and Graceland). I
have had precious time with my family across the country. Andy has been my
companion for many of these journeys, and some have been on my own.
I’ll be sharing much about these experiences in the future,
but tonight I’m simply reflecting on the ending of this time away, and the resumption
of my everyday life.
It turns out that, as much as I’ve loved this once-in-a-lifetime
event, there are some things that I’ve missed.
I’ve missed the people. Stepping away from church has meant
that I haven’t seen some of my favorite people for months. Last night, I got to
see some at a church party. Today at lunch, I ran into some other faves. It
will be great to reconnect with everyone!
I’ve missed worship at my church. Andy and I have worshiped
in many different churches. We have heard some excellent sermons and
experienced some different worship styles and varying degrees of welcome. As we
were saying over lunch today, it will be good to be back at our church home.
I’ve missed the opportunity to respond to current events. I
have missed writing in ways that I hope are helpful in making sense of
seemingly senseless events, and I have missed coming together with people of
faith in worship to find a faithful way forward during difficult times.
I’ve missed getting to walk with Jesus alongside of you. I
have missed being part of significant life events, of life and death and all of
the in-between moments, and I’ve missed speaking faith into those moments when
faith seems the least likely thing possible. Life is tough enough, we need each
other.
I read an article at the beginning of my sabbatical, warning
that grief was a normal reaction to the close of a sabbatical. After all, who
wouldn’t feel sad about the end of a season of freedom and travel? I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I feel some
regret that this special time is over.
As I look inside myself this evening, though, what I mostly
feel is anticipation, not grief. There are so many great things ahead! I have
been so blessed to have had this sabbatical time, and I am so blessed by this
life of ministry that I am privileged to resume.
God is good, and God’s goodness infuses special moments of
travel and rest. Even better, God’s goodness infuses all of the everyday moments
of our everyday lives. Tomorrow, I am blessed enough to resume my everyday
life, and for that I am exceedingly thankful.
