Friday, August 20, 2010

Your Cup

The time has come...
The start of the new school year is no longer something one can say is months away, it is only days. Young adults are returning from their vacations and finishing their Ultimate Frisbee tournaments.
The time has come when a youth and young adult minister is utterly swamped and usually stressed.
The time has come...
When the temptation to live off the pizza, chips, soda, and Tootsie Rolls becomes nearly insurmountable. When the few hours you get at home are hours you think best spent napping.
The time has come to admit I need to take better care of myself this year.
Last year was a frenzy of ministry events, crises large and small, constant administrative tasks, and ignoring the realities of what this was doing to me. This year I know, that in order to be an effective minister, I need to take care of myself.
Ministry, at least the part that is our 'work', is only a small part of our lives. However, there is a great temptation to make ministry, it's demands, and it's excuses overwhelm us. We are told that our bodies are temples and to meditate on God's Word (see Paul and Joshua).
Each day I am now spending time exercising. This also lets me relax both physically and mentally. I put my Macbook so I can see it from my elliptical trainer and catch up on my guilty pleasures - TV shows (Covert Affairs and Rizzoli & Isles).
I am eating my fruits and vegetables. (The peaches are absolutely fabulous right now.) I am making sure that I cook at least two big batches of something that I can have for leftovers throughout the week (I've got some great soups and vegetarian casseroles now).
I am making sure I spend some of each day quietly with God. Some days I reflect on The Catholic Women's Study Bible. Other days it is the daily Mass readings. I also am reading a couple of books on spirituality and faith by Henri Nouwen.
We must care for ourselves so that we may be fully alive and fully capable of hearing God in our lives and living His call.

World Youth Day 2011