almost every day

in the morning,
I take the doggies for their neighborhood walk.
As I round the final corner towards home,
kitty corner across the street,
there is a Haitian grandfather,
wirey and wizened,
sitting on his porch,
watching the traffic go by,
or maybe meditating, who am I to know.
I wave first. Always.
He waves back, and smiles.

Then, I know,
it's a good day, already.

it's one of those days, you know?

It's one of those days, where I actually have time to get a chunk of work done.   As in: ORGANIZE office.
FILE.   I have already covered the little things on my list, and what really needs my attention are the piles of papers, etc.  floating about.

But, I don't feel like it. 
I have shuffled a couple of things around. 

I want to curl up and read some of the books I have on my Kindle that I haven't read--which are a few.   I download one everytime I hear someone talk about a book.  Must. Stop. That.

I got to go to an afternoon Sox game yesterday, with my former colleague on staff.  We lost by one run, but the day was gorgeous, and it was fun catching up.  I realize I am such a church nerd, because I am so curious as to how others do things in their churches--we talked a lot!   In case you were wondering, I was wearing my new Red Sox track jacket which is very cute.   Jus' sayin.

This morning, I showed up at the gym at 7 am to have my training session with my PT.   He sat me down at his desk and said, "I have bad news.  I am moving at the end of the month."   DANGIT!  I really like him, and I have never had a PT before, but he has challenged me beyond my limit.  If I had been watching what I eat this summer, I might have even lost weight.   In any case,  his spouse lives in another state, and it is time for him to make that move.   I have three weeks to lose 30 pounds.   LOL.

In other news, the kittens/momma that my beloved rescued two weeks ago are growing, growing, growing.  They are between 4-5 weeks, and I could watch them for hours.   It's been fascinating watching their development from not being able to walk at all, to now when they are just learning to scamper and beat up
play with one another. 

Speaking of reading, have you read Zeitoun by David Eggers?   It was the summer reading for the high schools in my town--everybody reads it, including teachers and staff.   It is a true story of a Muslim man who lived in New Orleans through and post Katrina.   I highly recommend it.  

Well, I just looked around, and it appears that the cleaning fairy is not going to show up and help me organize my office.  Bitch    I mean, I know she isn't real. Sigh.

What about you?  Whatcha' doin'?  Whatcha' supposed to be doing? 

Friday Five: Seeking!

Over at Revgals, Jan posts this Friday Five:
I was struck in our weekly Lectio Divina group by a few verses from Psalm 105:3-4:

. . . let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.

Seeking is rejoicing. Rejoicing comes from the seeking, NOT the end of glory, heaven, enlightenment, or whatever. Seeking is the journey--RIGHT NOW!

So for this Friday Five, list what you are seeking, whether it is trivial, profound, or ordinary--whatever you would like to share! 

So, here is my play. 

1.  Professionally, I am seeking to be fully present in my current call, but also growth in that call, or wherever else the journey takes me.  Right now, this isn't fully clear.   

 

2.  My pottery group started back today, in an amazingly gorgeous new studio.   WOW.   My project for the semester will be ceremonial ware, so I am seeking to create 3-4 communion sets, along with baptism bowls.    I am seeking inspiration for their forms and surface design. 

3.  I am seeking a housecleaning fairy that sneaks in and scrubs my bathroom and kitchen floors.   Do you know where she or he can be found? 

4.  I am perpetually seeking the perfect pair of shoes.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, every pair seems the most perfect.  ;-)

5.  I am seeking to be more mindful in my meditation spiritual practices.   To be more intentional without being dogmatic with myself.  

That's about it!

And we are offffff!!!!!!!

Well,
the program year has started with an incredible...whoosshhh.

In other words, really busy.  

I am still where I was planted five plus years ago, and getting used to having a new interim senior colleague.    This is going fine.  Different, getting used to it, fine.  As an interim situation, I suspect that I am very lucky.  

It's just not the place I envisioned being in when we moved here 6 years ago.

I  adore my congregation.  I love my work.   Don't get me wrong.    I also am very, very, very weary of the being the second pastor.   Kind of sort of ready to be in my own gig.  Have been for some time.

However, I know this is not the plan of the universe, for now, and that I am where I am supposed to be for now.

 There are times I rejoice--I love watching our children grow up--I mean, really, J is in middle school this fall???  And oh, how grown up N is!!  I am grateful that I know R's story, so that in this current transition, I can be fully, pastorally there (as best I can).....It's all really a gift, you know?

There are times I am embarrassed--that I am STILL an associate pastor (just naming it--I know better--but it is a part of how I feel)  and there are times I am bewildered.    I know the Gentle Divine gets it.  

And tonight,
As the temperature changes, and a cool breeze is wafting in the open window, I am every so humbled and welcoming of that great Gentleness.

Amen.