Many pastors find it difficult to balance their church life and their family life, especially as their children grow older. I have not found it especially difficult to spend time with and take joy from my family. Since the kids were born, I have been intentional about giving my family the time and the energy that they need. I love them very much.
That being said, I am aware of the tension a pastor family live in. They are under a greater "microscope" than the typical Christian family. So in a very real way, this sabbatical is their sabbatical too. That's why the sabbatical plan includes some intentional family time and also some intentional one-on-one time with each of the girls in my family. They have been enjoying this extra family time and this extra one-on-one time. Today I went for a bike-ride with Hannah. It was a beautiful day, and we chit chatted our way from Gardner Park through Fish Trap Creek and back to our home.
While the girls are are enjoying this extra focus, they are missing Bethel on Sundays. In fact, we all are. Yes, its a great opportunity to visit other churches and to learn from them. But the kids feel out of place--and so do we. Its not our church. Its not like home. One of the things we will all take back from the sabbatical is a renewed sense of belonging to Bethel. It is where we want to be on Sundays.
Blessings, David
No comments:
Post a Comment