Monday, April 26, 2010

Sunday Night - Er, Monday Morning

Why am I still awake at 1:05 a.m.? Because I'm finishing a paper!!!!! After yesterday's headache killed most of my Saturday productivity, I came home from church determined to crank out the last seven pages of my World Religions case study. And I did it! Here is what my to-do list looks like now ...

Chaplaincy in a Multi-Religious Context
Final Case Study - 10 pages

Crisis Ministry
Teaching Presentation & Outline - 30 minutes
Teaching Reflection - 2 pages

Pastoral Care with Victims of Domestic Violence
Final Project - 5 pages
Presentation - 15 minutes

Directed Study
Final Paper - 12-15 pages
Resource Guide

I. Am. So. Close.

***

I had a very strange moment in church this morning.  My pastor and I were e-mailing back and forth this week and in one of my e-mails I told her that I was starting to feel anxious about ordination and my upcoming job search (I will not start looking for a job until after I finish CPE).  I know that I feel called to be in the ministry as a full-time vocation and I am willing to be patient as I work through the process, but how do I balance the "trust" stuff with the "real life" (ie money, stability, job, moving, etc. etc.) stuff?  It's not easy to put your trust in God when the real world is staring at you in the face.

Kim gave me a strange, yet brilliant suggestion.  She told me I should pray for the congregation that I am getting ready to serve - even though I do not know who they are.  When I first read the e-mail, I was intrigued.  Then I thought about it more - and I was inspired.  It makes complete sense to me.  Even if I do not know who I am praying for - God will find a way to work it all out.  

So today during church I tried it - and I was surprised at the connection I felt to a place I do not even know.  At one point I thought to myself, "Wow, if they have a 10 a.m. worship service like we do at Pilgrimage, at this very moment the congregation that I am getting ready to serve is joining their hearts together in prayer."  And I felt instantly connected to them - who "them" is, I don't know.  But I guess that's not really the point.  The point is that what I am doing now - finishing school, writing my ordination papers, gearing up for CPE - is preparing me to serve this community.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

2 comments:

  1. Whar a great way to ease the stress of not knowing where you're heading by praying for those you have yet to meet and serve... Can't wait to follow you as you begin that journey...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jealous!!! I'm just now HALFWAY done with it! GRRRR!!! I'll be at 7 pages today and will finish the rest from home. It's like pulling out a thousand tiny splinters right now......PAINFUL!

    ReplyDelete

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