I'm Taking a Break Today

I'm taking some time to rest today. I'm intentionally pulling aside during the start of the crazy, hectic holiday season to remind myself of a few things: 1. The world will go on without me 2. I'm not as important as I like to think I am 3. Time spent resting and reflecting is critical to my soul 4. Time spent on rest and reflection isn't "wasted" time at all 5. Developing a spiritual rhythm that includes time for rest and reflection is one of the most productive things I can do In a culture where I feel as though people are always pushing me for more, more, more, intentionally pulling aside and taking time to think is one of the most important things I can do. So I'm going to grab my pen and my journal, a few really important books and I'm simply going to do NOTHING. I'm going to listen. I'm going to rest. I'm going to remind myself of what's really important and how thankful I am for those things...

Holidays, Family, Religion and Politics

I was home for Thanksgiving and everything was going quite well despite the fact that we had 24 people stuffed into a normal sized home in the burbs and most of them were under 2 feet tall. People were everywhere. Every bedroom was full. People were sleeping on air mattresses in the basement workroom. The kitchen was busy 24/7. You get the picture. But even with all that going on, things were going quite well until someone decided to bring up politics. Now the election has been decided for a few weeks already, but it seems there are still some bitter feelings bubbling under the surface out there. Well, they were under the surface that is, until someone in my family decided to bring it all up again! Anyway, long story short: It all culminated with my own mother asking me who I voted for in front of the entire family. I said, "Do you really want to know mom?" She said, "Of course, why do you think I asked?" So I told her and the next thing I knew, my mom was shaking her finger at me telling me there's no way I could possibly be a "Christian" and have voted that way...Oh boy. Here we go. The first shot heard 'round the world. Ding! The fight is on! The rest of the family joined in and away we went...Well, away they went. Fortunately for me, I've seen all of this before and decided it was time to gather up my part of the family (including the dog) and head off to the in-laws house. I've never been so happy to see my in-laws!

I hate politics. It just always seems to divide people - even family members. It leaves some people disappointed, others disillusioned and still others just wanting to escape it all and head to the in-laws!

I was planning to head home for Christmas...not any more. I think I'll just spend a night or two with the family aorund New Year's and call it a year...