With work, church, and family (1 child, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 6 hens), time gets away from me as a single mom. I’ve just finished two years of graduate school and need to get back to center at home personally and intensely with the bleach. Out with all the papers from my research, books back to the library, and fines paid off. (I have to replace one book that the dog thought was a chew toy, not sure how much that will be yet!)  At church, I need to refocus and redirect energy working with the trustees on the 103 yo building.

This holiday has been one that me and Sam (almost 11 yo) are spending at home, just being together. No plans really. The first week has gone by so fast and now we are into week two. Yesterday we worked together on the “playroom.” The space is now outdated for train sets, dinosaurs, and dragons. Now, we are thinking special reading space and just a room to chill – maybe we’ll call it our “time out” room. We had fun getting horribly messy together last night and are taking boxes of donations to others that will put good toys to use. In the middle of it all, Sam was correcting my grammar, asking for advice, singing, making plans for future activities. She is educating me on a book series that I’m reading outloud each night for us both. A very nice rejuvinating time out!

The same is true for church leadership. I think those 20% doing 80% of the work need to take a time out and come up for air! Just like me working with my daughter, I turned my back and she had the entire playroom in the middle of the bedroom, room empty and ready to begin painting. Others want to be involved, want to see progress, want to share in making things happen. Just when we think they may be to young (or too old!) we may be in store for a pleasant suprise.

As we end Advent and progress to Lent, I hope others might look forward to an enjoyable, refreshing, time out!