Terrie and I recently enjoyed some vacation time with our children and grandchildren. This trip was the generous gift of our church family last summer when we celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary at Lancaster Baptist Church.
As we returned home, I jotted down a short list describing what vacation time means to a pastor:
- Time to disengage mentally from the stressful thought processes of ministry.
- Time to minister to my wife and family.
- Time to disengage from all social media and the trivial issues of the blogosphere. [I did have some scheduled blogs and tweets that posted while I was away.]
- Time to visit new places and learn the history of people and places God has created.
- Time to wonder at God’s creative power.
- Time to laugh and play with our children and grandchildren.
- Time to read Scripture and other books for enrichment and personal growth.
- Time to step back and get perspective on upcoming ministry opportunities.
- Time to be reminded I’m still a lousy golfer.
- Time to give thanks for a family who loves God and loves one another.
- Time to take lots of pictures.
- Time to visit other churches, libraries, and educational institutions.
- Time to be reminded how much I need to keep learning and growing.
- Time to pray for renewed power and vision.
- Time to be thankful to serve a wonderful Saviour with the world’s greatest church family!
