The Saturday Morning Post

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Welcome to Saturday, May 03, 2008

 

Waking up this morning and not having to fret over a paper I need to write is a great feeling.  It is also a great feeling to know that on Monday I don’t have to stare at another week of driving to Columbia for classes.  After four years of seminary, three of them commuting back and forth every day and one on internship, all I can think about is how relieved I am that the driving is over.  I’m sure it will hit me that I have actually spent four years in study, reflection and communion with God, my professors and classmates, but for now, it’s just the driving.  I’m glad it’s over.  With information from my date planners, the following is a snapshot of my commuting experience for six semesters.

 

Round trips = 377

Miles traveled = 84,240 (equal to roughly 3 1/3 times around the world)

Gallons of gas used = 2,808

Hours behind the wheel = 1,325 (equal to just over 54 days)

 

There have been good days when the weather was perfect and the drive was welcome and peaceful.  There have also been far too many days filled with anxiety at the wheel, tired eyes, and headaches, not to mention the two dozen or so fatal accidents I came upon over four years on the road.  Days such as those reminded me that, above all, I had a family at home waiting to see me walk through the door in the evening.  I continue to pray for those families who faced the fact that a loved one left, but didn’t come home that day.

 

So there it is, the task that several people told me four years ago that I could not possibly continue and still successfully complete seminary.  It would be a lie if I said I didn’t have my doubts at times as well.  It’s just further proof that with God, all things are possible.  This is the last “I’m a commuting student” post……..I promise!

 

Honey Do vs. Bucket List

 

Now that school is over, I need to turn my attention to some of the things that I have been neglecting for four years, the first being my marriage and the wonderful woman who has put up with me during all of this.  Angela has been the one who has kept our house in order, getting kids where they needed to be and worrying about everything related to house keeping, bills and the like.  I am convinced that being a spouse of a seminarian is just as difficult as being a seminarian, perhaps even more.  She has been the one who has had a “roommate” that stays up all hours of the night physically attached to text books and computers, while having to deal with all that real life brings.

 

I also want to spend a little time unwinding, catching up with a few friends and enjoying some of my hobbies that I have put on hold for such long time.  I think that one problem with being so immersed in study and seminary related “work” is that sometimes we forget how to have fun.  I want recess.  I want to play, see movies, go fishing with my girls and take in some baseball games.

 

So the challenge now is to re-introduce myself to reality.  There are a million things that I want / need to do.  Today I think I’ll tackle some yard work, which I consider to be therapy and not work by the way, and then I’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing with a ball game on television.  One does have to ease into these things after all.

 

Today’s Verse

 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13 

Gracious and loving Father,  Not only do you give us the task of being your people in the world, but you generously give us all that we need to be a blessing for others.  We give you thanks for watching over us as we work, discern and do your will.  Give us loving hearts so that we too can love others, feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless and care for those who are forgotten by society.  Continue to strengthen us through the faithfulness of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is through his name we pray.  Amen.

 

seminary family play Bucket List

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