"Real" Work

The happy disruptions of family during last week's March Break has reminded me again that I often settle for a rather narrow definition of what I consider my 'real' work.  

I said it to Ken last night as we were going over the plans for the week ahead.  I said that, for this coming week, I want to get down to doing some 'real' work.  What I was referring to was things I mostly do at my desk, with my computer, and/or at meetings with groups or individuals.  All the things I report on, keep track of, file, preach, teach, plan and otherwise am responsible for in that space that encompasses my job description as Highview's Missionary in Residence.  

I was contrasting that, of course, to the time spent engaging with (which, let's be honest, mostly means feeding) our grandchildren over several days for the (booming sound effects here please) DOUBLE SLEEPOVER that has become something of a tradition over both the Christmas and March Break weeks.  Actually, it's more than feeding them.  It's all the things that happen when children are in the house, all the good, the bad and the messy of it.  And it's all sensational and happy and exhausting and  hilarious, and requires from me very different kinds of energy than does my 'real' work.

In our chat last night, I also found myself contrasting the work we still need to do on the house to get ready to sell, with the 'real' work of my life, suggesting this week would be made up of mornings focusing on the latter and afternoons on the former.  As if, even with the clear understanding that our move is very much in line with how we believe God is leading us, there was a distinction.

Except, something makes me want to stop and think this through again.

What is 'work' anyways?

Especially for those who consider themselves followers of Jesus.

What is the 'real work' of our lives?

What an interesting research paper this could be!

But not for this morning.

This morning I'm just remembering again just two of oh so many references to work and work ethic in the Bible.   I'm thinking this just might help me through the 'work week' in a more wholistic frame of mind.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.

Let nothing move you.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,

for you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

I'm preparing a sermon using this text (for April 7 at Highview), and exploring what Paul is referring to when he uses the phrase 'work of the Lord.'  Basically, it's anything that is about forgiveness, justice, reconciliation, unleashing potential, protecting the vulnerable, healing, safety, and love.  In other words, anything to do with making things 'on earth as they are in heaven.'  It's a pretty broad job description.

Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust;

He will not forget your work 

and the love you have shown Him

as you have helped His people

and continue to help them.

Oh I so want to explore this further.  But for now, I'm noticing the clear connection between 'your work' and 'the love you have shown.'  And then the next level of clear connection between loving God and helping people.

Okay, so now it's time to get at it.

Monday morning and all that.

And I do love the time I can spend at my desk, and will relish it with gratitude.

But I am also so very grateful for the other 'work' and 'real' work of my life.

For all those heading into Monday who may or may not have a definitive job description at this point in your life, for whatever reason...

May you find satisfaction in pressing into the 'work' God has laid before you....whatever that looks like!!

And They're Off!!

 

After two robust weeks of reveling in my blessings, I am now -- sitting down.

This after two loads of laundry are on the line, with more to come tomorrow. Front room and kitchen floors swept, and mostly everything put back to adult-mode. Mostly.

I'll find marbles hidden under things for at least three more sweeps. And a sock or too. And hopefully Timothy's wide-brimmed sunhat. And maybe, if I'm lucky, one of Jayden's many notes where he practiced writing one of this summer's most memorable events - if you're a six year old boy. "I saw a rattlesnake." (Don't worry. The snake was small and Jayden was accompanied by several adults. No reptiles, or children, were harmed in this encounter.)

We did it. All ten of us. And our building and reclaiming projects these past few years have really paid off in that it felt like we had just a little more room. Teens take up more room generally, and it really helps to have a second bathroom with ten people. It just does.

We did so much in just two weeks!!! My photo downloads will take a bit of time, I'm thinking. And really, it's going to be a strange time of reflecting and processing our family time at the cottage, because oh so soon we'll be on our way to Thailand. Good thing for the long plane ride.

So. Just two more days here before heading home.
Then just one day home before boarding our first flight.

Who planned this summer?
Oh yeah...me. :)
And I'm lovin' it.

And now that I'm sitting down...wondering about maybe a nap?

==

Oh Beloveds, thank you! For being here and being you and us being all together like this. My Gramma's heart, my Mama's heart is full. So grateful. This gift. I can't even!!!

Safe home, Lovelies.  

"Gramma, tell us again about that time...."

Mostly today I’m just doing pictures.

And yes, a picture is worth 1000 words.

Because each tells a story within the story of our lives.

Family is story.

And we write our story together not knowing at all what’s in the next chapter.

Not even liking what’s been in some of the chapters that came before this one.

Just living out this one with integrity and joy.

Family is story and the story can be messy sometimes.

And it can be bright and sandy and hilariously fun in the water sometimes.

And ice-cream-all-over-your-face sometimes.

And blueberry pies sometimes.

And quiet kayak rides with beloveds sometimes.

I can be all of us being honestly us, flexing and gracing and cheering and loving.

Ten thousand words are not enough.

So today, pictures.

But yes, I indulge the stories when asked.

Son on the Water

 

In the midst of the happy chaos that is cottage family time, there are moments.

Like this.

Sunday night just David and I, out in the kayaks on waters flat with healing.   I find myself vibrantly present in this hour.   The only gentle noise is our strong and rhythmic strokes, the sound of us of quietly being us, mother and son, in the simplest way possible.

Minimal words. 

Maximum inspirations, slowly.

We tuck into the second secluded bay along the route, and there is the sun all red and giving way to the end of another run across the heavenlies.  And there is my son all muscular and pushing forward into the stillness of it.

Like this.

I feel as if I am in the very centre of many prayers answered.

It makes me braver somehow. 

For him. 

For all of us.

And I take none of it for granted.

Take no credit, how dare I?

This is grace, all of it.

Grace upon grace.

Like the sun on the water with the son on the water.

Simple and magnificent, as long as I’m living…