You've Got Sand Where?!

Last week we spent time at Epworth by the Sea, a United Methodist Retreat Center on St. Simons Island, GA. The sun was hot, the waves small, and the McElroys got a bit burned. In spite of lots of sunscreen. There was sand everywhere~inside our suits, our car, in our hair and on our bodies. In spite of the inconvience of sand, salt, and sunburn, we had a wonderful time.

What made it great was spending time together. Tom had meetings and the children had some fun with other pastor's children. But, for the most part, we had lots of free time. We could hang out together without the need to be somewhere else. We could linger after meals and talk, or ride bikes for hours~and the men of the family did, riding all over the island. We could exercise, walk, talk, or take naps.

But the other thing that happened is that we spent time talking with other friends in ministry. Stories were exchanged, prayers were prayed, laughter was shared, hearts were opened. And by the end of the week we remembered something really important: We're not in this thing called ministry alone. There are others who understand. While they may not be close enough to see all the time, they're only an email or phone call away. And to me, that's one of God's greatest gifts to us.

So, even though the sand got everywhere and made things uncomfortable, the beauty of the beach is makes up for the momentary frustration. Just like friends along the journey help us remember that our frustrations are but "light and momentary afflictions." And I, for one, am grateful for the reminder that God never intended me to do this thing called life all alone.

The Beauty of Time

I've been thinking about time lately. I wrote about slowing down on the Country Roads section, and about how slowing down is important~and getting sick reminded me of this one! Today, I've been thinking about how impatient most of us are. Specifically me.

I'm so used to instant everything~text messaging, email, internet information at my fingertips, microwave cooking...So, this past year when I began working with Mary Madison in her 4th grade math text, I was sure that she would instantly get multipication and division.

I spent the entire year doing all I could, using stories, being patient(well, not always), doing the work with her, etc. Yet, she didn't seem to be "getting" it. Family members noted and commented on it. I worried that she should be doing what all fourth graders should, according to some idea devised by educators who never met my daughter. But, the school year ended and she was still struggling a bit.

During the summer, I've backed off. Maddie has played, picked up her new 5th grade math book and worked a bit, cooked, calculated tithes and savings on her allowance. She's totally had the freedom to learn what she wanted, when she wanted.

So, the other day Maddie walked in and said, "Hey Mom, is that what you've been trying to teach me all year?" She explained multiplication and division in two sentences. And then smiled and proclaimed, "Wow, that's so easy!"

What made the difference? I'm not sure of all of it, but a big factor was time. Maddie is a smart girl, "fearfully and wonderfully made" by her heavenly Father. And, when not pushed, she learned what she needed to know in her time. Which is, after all, HIS time.

So what kinds of things are you needing to wait for? Give others in your life the freedom to change and grow in their time, the Father's time. It may be one of the hardest things you'll do but I can guarantee you the joy of discovery you'll see others come to will make it worthwhile. And, while we're at it, maybe we can allow ourselves time too. After all, it's the stuff memories are made of.

Slow Down!

This summer has been so crazy for our family! We've been going on mission trips, camping, attending soccer camps, Bible Schools...It's fun being busy. And,I thought I was taking good care of myself with exercise and eating pretty well. But, I've gotten a sinus infection that's really slowed me down.

You know, I've started noticing a pattern with these illnesses. I've been getting them about twice a year. Once is right after Christmas and once in the summer. Now, part of the problem is all the allergies I've got~including pine trees and grass!! But, both come during times I'm so busy that I often forget I'm human and need to slow down.

I honestly can't remember the last day I just "lived" without an agenda or schedule. But, since I've been sick, I've taken some naps, read a bit, watched a movie and colored in a coloring book. I know that when I'm well I can't do all these things for days at a time, but what about those moments and chunks of time in my day when I can?

I deeply believe that God loves us so much he instituted Sabbath. It's not a sin to slow down, it's just a part of our God-given nature.

So, how about you? What are you going to do to slow down and enjoy the life God's given you? My next plan is that, once well, I'm going to lay on a blanket under the stars and just soak in God's creation. Oh, and by the way, if you see a woman diligently looking through coloring books in the children's section will you come say hello? Chances are it's probably me.

Country Roads...

Late last week I packed up the car and took Wes to visit his friend Ethan in Blue Ridge. So, Wes, Maddie, Tyler and I headed out for the trip. I would be putting about 250 miles on the car in 24 hours and wasn't looking forward to it at all. Yet, something happened on those winding, mountain roads. The air was cooler~something wondeful when it had been in the mid to upper 90s here. The children and I talked, sang, and told jokes and stories. And, life slowed down.

When we got to our friends' home, they said they'd not be home for a couple of hours. So, we relaxed. We read on the porch. We watched deer feeding in their yard. And, for a while, we weren't the pastor's family. There were no expectations, pressures, or even a to-do list. We just enjoyed God's creation and one another.

And you know what? Our friends let us live like that too. They love us unconditionally, no expectations at all. Just loving us for being their friends.

I hope all of you have people like that in your lives. And I pray each of you gets some time~even if it's only 24 hours~to drive, stop, sip and savor God's creation this summer on some beautiful country roads.

My First Time Blogging!

I've been dying to start my own blog, and just decided to do it. I'm hoping that this will be a way for family and friends to keep up with all the goings on in the McElroy world. Visit often and enjoy!!