late

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Late Again!

Estimating one’s time of arrival to a pre-planned destination is not always easy. It takes great skill, insight and determination … and I’m not talking about being on time to pick up wings from your favourite take-out place.

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I know that my wing joint is five minutes from my house; they tell me my order will be ready in ten minutes. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that I better get myself together right away and leave the house in five minutes to get my wings on time.

No, what I’m talking about is figuring out when I will arrive to a place that’s out-of-town  with packing involved … like the other day, when I left our cottage and planned on stopping by our daughter’s place in Richmond Hill on the way home.

My wife is a very poor time estimator and I found out that I’m not much better. I texted my daughter that I would be at her place by noon on Saturday – that gave me all Friday evening to pack up and be ready to go in the morning.

I knew what time I needed to leave – the trouble was actually leaving when I knew I needed to!

I packed most of my things the night before. I even got everything lined up at the door so I wouldn’t have any problems. Well . . . in the morning, I did have problems.

I got up on time, but I kind of lost track of the time as I did my devotions. They ran a little long. I wasn’t worried though. I was packed and still had lots of time. But I also needed to post a blog and write a new one.

Posting the blog was easy; I was all ready for it and got it off in record time. Writing a new one was a different story. Maybe I felt under pressure, but it took way too long to write.

About half way through writing the blog I realized if I didn’t get moving I’d miss my 9 am departure to be on time. I started to think of ways I could beat the time. I reasoned that I could leave at 9:30 and still get there on time. After all, I had given myself a little extra time in my first estimation.

So I kept writing. By the time I was finished, I realized I wasn’t even going to make my 9:30 exit from the cottage. Now I had to go into “hurry” mode.

I still had too many little things that had to be done. I was in a rush to shower, eat breakfast, wash dishes, clean out the fridge, vacuum, and complete the shut down routine of the cottage.

By the time I was in the car, and driving out, I was two hours later than my projected time of 9:00 am. So what else could I do? I had to speed . . .

And that’s the subject of another blog.

Here’s the thing: I know what I could have done to be ready on time. I needed a better assessment of what I actually had to do and the time it would take. When I promise the Lord I will do something, I need to take a thorough consideration of what that will involve and then plan for it accordingly, so that I keep my promise to Him.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What do you do to make sure you leave for your destination on time? Leave your comment below.

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Let’s Just Forget That Sunday!

A few Sundays ago, I was glad when church was over – it was not a good morning. I had so much going through my mind, I wasn’t able to worship. For some people that might be normal, but it’s not good when you’re the pastor!

It was a typical Sunday morning when I first got up, but somehow Lil and I got behind in getting ready and we were a little late getting to church. It’s not that people were waiting for me, but I like to get there at about 7:30 am and that morning we were pushing 8:00 am. We just must have been moving in slow motion.

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At that point I wasn’t concerned, and I sure didn’t think the word “late” would be the theme of the morning. By the end of the service, however, I could have dismissed everyone by saying, “Today, our service has been brought to you by the letter ‘L’”, in true Sesame Street fashion.

This late theme wasn’t just with me. Everyone seemed to be running a good half hour or more behind. Our worship team was late in arriving, which, although it allowed me the time I needed to go over my sermon in the sanctuary, also created a little anxiety.

Our sound technician wasn’t there to set up for the worship team and I kind of got a little nervous about who might be able to fill in if necessary. Our media operator didn’t arrive to make sure all the songs were loaded into the computer to show on the screen during the service.

As the clock kept ticking, I darted back and forth from my office to the sanctuary, to answer questions and give assistance. I felt my adrenaline kick in, as my mind was buzzing like a bee going from flower to flower collecting pollen. I normally like to take some time in my office to sit, be still and pray. It wasn’t happening that morning; I had way too much to be concerned about.

Being late had a domino effect on everything. We were late setting up, finishing worship practice, getting to my office for pre-service prayer, and even late starting the service! And, as I made my way to the sanctuary, I was delayed another minute with a problem that sent me back to my office.

By then the worship team was on the platform. As I cruised through the foyer on my way to the sanctuary I noticed the lower foyer filled with people arriving … ANOTHER group of late people!

When I found my seat in the sanctuary, I was not thinking about worship. I was still thinking about how late we all were. Oh, and my sermon, I had to look at my notes to remind me of what I was even preaching about!

Here’s the thing: I was frazzled by the time the service began. I was more focused and worried about the externals than what God really cares about. When I talked to people after the service they had no idea anything had gone wrong. I should have focused on my spirit. Bill Hybels wrote a book titled, “Too Busy Not To Pray” – that was me that Sunday. I felt too rushed, too distracted, but I should’ve prepared with some quiet time and prayer. Next week will be different.

Until Next Time!

Pastor Paul

Question: How do you stay focused when you get rushed and distracted? Leave your comment below.