Photo by cottonbro studio at pexels
“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”―
Today, I realized that I cannot spend sufficient time on new stories and continue to write stories like Part 3 of the Faith Baptist Church situation. I also want to continue to parse some words we use as evangelicals. I find I’m letting some folks down by delaying their essential stories. I find I do not have the time to follow up with folks like Melissa Hobson and the victims in Tulsa. I need to work on a video of survivors discussing their reasons for coming forward decades after their abuse.
Yesterday, my husband told me he is so busy that he is cutting down to 4 1/2 days just to handle the paperwork. I started thinking about my own work life. I realized I don’t have enough time to take a weekend trip. We are also renovating parts of our home, and I keep forgetting to respond to my contractor. I find I’m forgetting things like EChurch@Wartburg, which I very much want to continue. I love to read and cook, but I find I have little time to relax and enjoy these things. I’m constantly researching topics for the blog, which I thoroughly enjoy.
I did some thinking and realized that I could tell people I want to write their stories, but I might not be able to do the research to write it up for at least 6 weeks. This doesn’t apply to the folks I’ve already spoken with. I am also available in case of an emergency.
I will leave the comment section open if folks have thoughts.
Your well-being and family/work/rest life must be at the top of your list, and it’s just good ol’ fashioned wisdom to take care of it <3. So appreciative of the work you've already done. Though the survivor stories are horrific, the light that you've shone on them has helped me tremendously.
Pace yourself!…..we need you around for the long haul!
Ariel(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
To add to the misused evangelical word list, I think I actually get a little scared when I hear the words “brother” or “sister.” There’s a good possibility that it’s just me, but I’ve heard it so much in church settings, usually with a manipulative bent to it, and mostly when someone’s trying to get me to see things their way, as if I should quickly receive what they’re saying because they’ve trotted out the religious familial terms, and if I don’t, then perhaps I’m not really a member of God’s family. It’s almost like they would use it so you would think, “Oh, she called me by an endearing family name; therefore her motives towards me must be Godly.” Back in my church-going days, it also seemed to be used from the pulpit when the preacher wanted something from the congregation (more money, more volunteers) as in, “My brothers and sisters, we have needs in this church…..”
Nowadays I’m fine saying, “Hey Bro, what’s up?” to my coworkers on Monday morning, but if I was in a church and I heard, “Sister, how much did you read your bible this week?” or “Sister, you need to get the joy of the Lord!”, I’d be looking for the exit. I wish it wasn’t this way. My feeling is, if they had seen me as their sister in Christ, I would’ve known it by how they treated me, and I wouldn’t have needed this term that seems almost like it’s used to keep you quiet, compliant, and willing.
Ariel(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
I love the use of the words brother and sister, but only in the old time Baptist way. I was used to honor ALL people. No Reverend Jones or Pastor John. Just plain old Bro. Bill just like the rest of us.
linds(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Fat fingered my name. Linda, not Linds
linda(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
The term evangelical is also misused by most evangelicals. They are sure as h*ll are anything but evangelical (based upon their behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and actions).
Ras al Ghul(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Quoting a friend from years ago “When he was Brother Bob he was a great guy. When he became Pastor Bob he was insufferable.”
Satin(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Dee,
reboot … reset … restart
What can you give yourself to 100%? What flows naturally with your gifts and talents? What stirs your passion? What produces good fruit?
Listen to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, then move forward.
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)