I was chatting to someone at church the other day about all that is going on at the moment - I seem to average three hospital visits a week and at least one funeral a fortnight. Add to that the other things that I am involved with (and which provide colour and interest) and time gets very tight sometimes. In the course of conversation I said something along the lines of 'one of these weeks I'll turn up on a Sunday and say "sorry, no sermon today."' Her reply amazed and touched me - 'that's alright, we'd find something to do.'
Wow! What a distance we have travelled together these last five years.
Comments
Whereas I'd probably find myself saying, "Sorry, can't visit you this week, I've got a sermon to prepare!"
You would?
Maybe I'm coloured in my views by the experience of my parents during my Dad's final weeks when the minister of the church of which my sister and I were/had been members kept saying 'I'll come and see you [i.e.my Dad], but not this week I've too much to do.' He never came to see my sister nor phoned me.
I also recall hearing a really poor sermon from a normally superb preacher who'd had one heck of a lot of pastoral stuff to do; people were generally very forgiving because they understood.
btw if you comment was totally tongue in cheek apologies for the lecture!
I wouldn't presume to speak for others, but I think Glen probably beat me to being confessional.
Over the last year, the growing list of things to do that are never done and the myth/mirage of a clear desk has crowded out real people far too many times as I've juggled roles and responsibilities.
I hope I've started to change my mindset.
Whenever anyone says to me, 'I didn't want to bother you, cos I know you're so busy', I know I'm getting something wrong! Especially if it's a member of my family!!
What a distance indeed. Something to be proud of. (in a very meek and Christian way of course as befits a humble Baptist minister!)