In the last 48 hours, I have spent at least 12 travelling. All this for 4 hours of meetings. In total this week, it will be around 18 hours travelling - some thing I have got out of the habit of in the last eight years. Setting out from home at 6 a.m. yesterday brought back memories of the days when I used to leave even earlier to travel to East Kilbride or 'somewhere near Newbury' for meetings or as part of that crazy long distance commute of people who leave home at 4 a.m. Monday and return home at 9 p.m. Friday. Whilst I don't miss the endless travelling (believe me the 'Red Eye' flight to Glasgow with the evening 'Chicken flight' (as distinct from the late afternoon 'scone flight') in one day could make very long days) it has actually been quite enjoyable to reconnect with the lifestyle that many professionals have today. I wasn't too pleased when my homeward train was diverted due to track vandalism, meaning I missed my connection, but it was a helpful reminder of what normal life is like for many in our churches today.
Today it is back to roads as I head to Nottingham. This week I have worn more 'hats' than I care to count, and the list of hats I need for next week is already growing.
When I started out in industry, I used to have nice clearly defined jobs to do and few meetings. Life was simple, I was learning but I was willing and able to do much more. I have seen a similar pattern in ministerial life - when I started off looking after my little church was enough to think about, but four years on I am enjoying the variety and additional challenges that involvement at Association and denominational level bring - even if it does mean returning to the days of long road/rail trips and dodgy food. Maybe is Jamie Oliver does buy up Little Chef and turn it around it'll be a good thing for those who spend hours travelling on business for organisations that can't pay £20 a throw for 'evening meal'.
Now, I must do some of my fifty tasks for today.