All Activity and Little Reflection

I can't believe that is has been almost TWO MONTHS since I posted anything on this blog! That's how busy summer has been. It is usually that way during the summer month. This is not a slack time in associational work. The month of May is fairly light, but June is budget preparation time, and during June and July we are working on nominating committee stuff, getting ready for Executive Board meetings in July and September. Then we have our church Key Leader Conference in August and this year we tried something really different. It was a success based on early comments we have received, but the preparation was more intense and detailed than it has ever been. Add to that a short vacation in the mountains in July and a trip to our annual 5 day reunion in Mississippi and you see why there was little time for reflection. Add to this the preparations for our daughter's wedding in September at the beach and our son's wedding in November in Tennessee, and it leaves little wonder why I have not posted on this site.
Reflection on life is an important part of living, so let me back up and reflect on a couple of experiences that strengthened my relationship with a couple of our churches. I mentioned in the previous post that I spoke at homecoming for one of our smaller churches. I also had the opportunity to go back for five weeks and lead a Christian money management seminar. It was good to get to know those folk at a more personal level. I feel like I have made some new friends. In another situation, one of our pastor's had to have bypass surgery and my associate and I filled the pulpit for three consecutive Sundays. That was a positive experience, particularly since the pastor was able to be there the final week I preached.
These are just two opportunities but they teach a very important lesson about relationships. It's hard to build strong relationships without significant "face time." Relationships take commitment. Nothing can take the place of being there with people. I hope that is a lesson I never forget.