The margins in my life have been pretty thin this year.
Our family moved into a new house back at the end of August - yes, just as the new school year was beginning - not the ideal time to move... but we were so thankful to have the chance in the economy that we're living in.
Between this big adjustment at home, and the crazy pace of life that seems to define most school years, my margins have been thin... and one of the things that has regularly been pushed off of my daily page has been exercise. I hate that. And I've missed it (another post for another time).
Well, this morning I was able to get out for a run. It's not the first time since we've been in this new house, but it was the first time I took this particular route. I've driven this direction numerous times - it's one of the two ways out of our neighborhood - so it's a route I'm very familiar with... or so I thought.
It's amazing what you notice when you slow down.
On my run today I noticed houses that sit back off the road just enough that I've never seen them before. I noticed, for the first time, a creek that cuts back and forth under this street in several different spots. I noticed the hills... OH, how I noticed this hills - so beautiful to look at, but something totally different when you encounter them on an early morning run.
All of this got me to thinking about our routines on campus.
If you're anything like me, your days are probably pretty full of meetings - with students, colleagues, administrators, etc. - and those times in between meetings can often easily be consumed with checking email, returning email, planning and prepping for what is next on you calendar... even the walks between meetings can be filled with checking in on our 'smartphones'... and there's something that doesn't seem quite right about it all.
I wonder how different our days might be if we created more space in our schedules... If we chose to intentionally slow down, make ourselves more mentally, emotionally and physically available. I wonder how different our walks through campus might be if we chose to leave our phones in our pockets and attempted to greet students as we passed them (I recognize that about 99% of them will be on their phones, but... that's a whole other post as well).
We need to challenge ourselves to slow down. To take in all that makes up the unique place that God has called us to... if we don't, how will we ever see Him at work, or know how to come alongside what He's already doing in that place?
So what do you think?
How thin are the margins in your life?
What are some of the things you might see differently in your ministry context if you chose to intentionally slow down?
Do you know what God is up to on your campus?
I'd love to hear about your experiences!
Grace and peace to you.
