Summer "break"
I've been sort of frustrated and stressed out lately about how much of my time this summer has been scheduled out and tied up. I was hoping for a summer "break." And it doesn't appear that I will really have one. Don't get me wrong, I really wanted to earn some money this summer, and between my nanny job and the fellowship, I'm earning what we set out as a summer goal for me to earn. But, I also wanted to do so much more. Our church has VBS this summer, and I really would've loved to help out with that - but it's during the day, when I'm either nannying or fellowshipping. I've really been wanting, for about the past year, to volunteer my time in some meaningful way. I commented yesterday on a friend's blog about how we all just need to start doing things instead of bloviating about all of the problems in our society/world. Then, this morning, I got a phone call from a woman at our church who sounded like she was at least 85 years old. She was wondering if I was free on Friday mornings to help out with a social ministry at church. I told her that I would love to, but unfortunately am busy during that time. It frustrated me and made me further resent giving up all of my time this summer to money making and socializing activities. Josh and I realized that we don't have a free weekend alone together until the 3rd weekend in July! While I'm excited about what we are doing on all those booked weekends, in the future, I'd like to not book up every weekend. Anyway...I guess maybe I should think about my fellowship with MACAA as a "volunteer" or service type activity. I will be spending that time helping homeless families, right? It just doesn't seem like service when there is money-making involved. Besides that, my real motivation for doing the fellowship is the line on my CV that says "awards/honors received." The fellowship was a competition after all.
Ok, I'm ranting. The whole point of this post is that I'm stressed out about the summer, my complete failure to serve my fellow man, and not having any free nights or weekends for most of the summer. (nights are book with baby-sitting, small group and MACAA meetings). That's all I have to say right now. Sorry for the vent.
3 comments:
Hey Mair,
Life is that way. Hopefully you will learn from this summer's "break" and stay away from that kind of busy-ness in the future. We have a saying in my company that goes like this: "sometimes you have to become out-of-balance temporarily in order to achieve balance permanently." I tell you that so you become aware of the out-of-balance condition that a great deal of American families find themselves in. And it can get worse when children and all of their activities start getting added to the schedule. So try to use this first summer to schedule a "permanent" balanced condition.
I like your perspective on the MACAA fellowship becoming your volunteer project. I know it is not the same as what your heart desires, but hopefully it will get you through. So...
Look forward to the 3rd weekend in July. :o))
man oh man, I hear ya. We've been having the exact same problem out here - every freaking weekend booked with some activity or another. I guess we just haven't learned how to balance life after college yet, eh?
Just because I get paid to take care of people doesn't mean my job doesn't provide a great service to the community. Serving fellow man doesn't have to be on a volunteer basis only. It's a daily decision on how you will treat the people who cross your path and to love others the way Jesus loved them, no matter where you are or what you are doing.
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