::Slowing Down::

In years past, I was all about the schedule. I believed that everything had a time slot, and there was little

to no room for variance. If someone stood me up, or the meeting was cancelled last minute, I dove

into a funk that could last all day.

But – and I’m not sure when this happened – something shifted. I think it could have been when I was

in seminary. And, in fact, it was very likely a result of my being in seminary. I started to see God’s plan

unfolding in everything. Little by little, my tight grip on a schedule relaxed. I mean, I didn’t show up

late to school sessions, appointments, or meetings. But if someone called with a cancellation, I took it

as a reprieve, a break in the schedule. And that approach has grown through the years, to the point of

when I arrive at a restaurant, and the person is 30 minutes late, I enjoy the quiet. I check my messages.

I let them know “I’m here.” And when they show up, I’m glad to see them. If they don’t show at all, I

check to make sure they’re okay, then carry on.

I don’t know, it just feels better to be more relaxed as I move through each day.

That doesn’t always work, like when I’m traversing the Devil’s Highway – better known as I-24. But

that’s when I pray to Jesus and ask Saint Christopher to ride with me, and get me and the other drivers

safely to our destinations. 

I now love my unplanned days; days without a schedule. I generally have a couple every week. I can

choose to make my way through with gusto, or move into the day slowly and methodically. And I can

do it without feeling guilty. In fact, I take it every time life offers it to me.

So, if you’re cancelling? No worries. We’ll reschedule.

I’m headed for whatever creative pursuit captures my day.