The Very Reverend Billie Abraham, Rector
Multi-tasking, a sense of urgency, hurry up!
January 2001
Our culture promotes a fast paced way of life. Our time is
frequently over-committed. I recall reading an article about
time management by Barbara Crafton. She is an Episcopal priest
who is the former rector of Saint Clement's Church, located in
the theater district of Manhattan.
Barbara wrote about an intense time at her parish when she
was not only performing the demanding tasks of a rector, she was
directing a play that was performed at Saint Clement's Church.
She was putting in 12 hour days for months. She was arriving at
the church early in the morning and returning home late at
night. She was exhausted. (She wasn't fortunate enough to live
in a rectory next door to the church.)
In her exhaustion, she made a promise to herself. Once
rehearsals were over and the play had been performed, she was
going to change her ways. She was going to block off time in her
daily calendar that included quiet. She was going to honor a
Sabbath day each week.
Barbara discovered that her good intentions took a great deal
of effort. She had to work at resting! Gradually she slowed
down, over a period of years. Honoring a Sabbath day was not
easy. Saying no was more difficult than she ever thought.
I know I can relate to her dilemma. I suspect many of us can.
On Sunday, January 9, a winter storm descended upon Bovina.
Rain turned into ice, and our world glistened as the winter
light reflected off the sheet of ice that covered every outside
surface. You may recall that two baptisms and our annual parish
meeting were scheduled for that morning. Church was canceled.
I returned to the rectory with an unexpected free day ahead
of me. The first thing I did was prepare a fire. I started
stuffing newspaper and laying kindling on the fireplace grate.
Suddenly I realized that I was rushing. I had not shifted out of
overdrive. I had no reason to be in a hurry. Nothing was
demanding my immediate attention.
I did something remarkable for the next twenty four hours. I
rested! I slowed down and built the fire. I warmed up some soup.
I built a nest of pillows and a comforter on the couch. I spent
the afternoon and evening reading a book and taking cat naps!
I said no to catching up with work. I stopped! Why is that so
remarkable? Because it is so out of character for me and, I
suspect, for most of us!
The wisdom to slow down is not common. It is a rare thing.
There are two things of which I am certain:
• Slowing down and saying no
must be intentional
• Slowing down and saying no
takes practice
Our internal overdrive mechanism doesn't simply shift down
because we think it is a good idea. We have to be like Barbara
Crafton; we have to work at resting, and we have to work at
saying no.
I am writing this letter as another winter storm is
predicted. I hope all us will have the opportunity to rest
during this storm. I hope that if your work increases due to the
storm, you will be safe and warm as you go about completing the
demands of your work. Resting or working, I am reminded of a
verse from Psalm 131:
"I still my soul and make it quiet,
like a child upon its mother's breast;
my soul is quieted within me"
Psalm 131:3
May we all accept what these winter days are offering us. May
we slow down for a season. May we say no when we need to say no.
May we work when we need to work. May we rest when we need to
rest. May we pray the words of Compline:
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping;
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
Amen.
In peace,
Billie+
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