Merging is a New Journey - I took a Break!

Looking down to the Hudson River from the Locust Grove Estate (6/2020)

As an active church-goer, and now a church-viewer, I would only take three Sundays off a year.  One, when my sister, brother-in-law, and niece would attend the annual March for Babies...two, Opening Weekend at work...and three, New York Comic Con.  Because I wore so many hats, I tried not to miss any other Sundays, even if I wasn't feeling well, had been out late the night before, or for any other reason. 

Since this weekend was so nice - sunny and cooler than it has been - I took Sunday off and went to Locust Grove to walk the trails, something I have been wanting to do since I went on the house tour a couple Christmas Breaks ago.

I know, shame on me.  I not only had a service prepared by Annual Conference leadership I could have watched but I also had a Lay Leader I could have supported and watched.

But, I felt like I needed the break.  I needed some time to myself to be with nature.  And essentially cross something off my unwritten bucket list.

So, how is this related to merging?

Well, I think I am starting to learn to rest and not feel like I have to volunteer to help with everything.  I am starting to learn when I need a break for myself, and that I need to take that break.  I am learning that, yes, church is extremely important and I can't be taking this break every week - but sometimes it is nice to experience God in a different way.

Sunday I experienced God in nature.  Through the sounds of silence, birds, wind in the leaves, water running by in little streams or down small rock embankments, in the train that went by, and yes even in the kids who were running down the trails very far ahead of their parents.

I do plan on going back and watching the recording of both services I had access to.  But I think in this strange time, where I have spent most of my days in my room behind a closed door working the best that I can, God was calling me to spend time with Him outside where I could pray and contemplate and see where He has me going to next.