Some say that the first weeks of the semester are more difficult than the middle of the semester - boy, I hope they're right. Getting back into the swing of things has not been easy.
I started off in the admissions office on Monday and had a bit of catch-up to do after being away for 1 1/2 months. On Tuesday I spent my first day back at the hospital and had a number of really good visits with patients which was really encouraging. Yesterday morning I was back at the hospital and I got my first call to the OB unit which is something I was really hoping I would get the chance to do.
Today I had my first class session of Systematic Theology - a course that I am admittedly dreading. If the professor can find some way of making this practical, which I think he's going to try to do, it will be redeemed for me but at this point I just don't know. Fortunately my dreaded class Thursday mornings is followed by an uplifting class on Thursday afternoons - a Spiritual Disciplines Seminar in Journaling. That's right - I'm actually going to get credit for journaling, something I already do and really enjoy doing! I'm praying that this seminar will sustain me through practicum work and systematizing theology.
In addition to Systematic Theology and Journalling Seminar, I also have my three practicums that I was involved in last semester continuing this semester: Spiritual Guidance Practicum (Spiritual Direction), Pastoral Counselling Practicum (chaplaincy), and Ministry in Church and World (chaplaincy). Suffice it to say, seminary life is BUSY!
In the midst of the business, I'm trying to figure out how to prioritize - how to live life in such a way that I keep everything in perspective. I don't want to spent the rest of my seminary life (or life after seminary) running around like a chicken with its head cut off. So I'm trying to figure out where rest and relaxation and time just doing things for fun and Sabbathing all come in. I'm trying to learn how to breathe in the midst of the business.
Something I've been learning in my work with spiritual direction is cultivating awareness of God in the moment. I read a quote today that I'd like to leave you with:
"If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that God speaks to us largely through what happens to us..." ~Frederick Buechner
1 comment:
It's often a tough balance to find between working hard and finding time to rest and Sabbath, both in seminary and work environments. Hope the semester balances itself out for you :)
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