Everyone Needs a Breather

I love my church. I love doing what I feel is God’s calling to me. But sometimes I just feel a bit overwhelmed with everything I’m involved in. Pathfinders, deacon duty, church choir, occasionally writing newsletter articles, and planning and setting up church socials. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate that there is always something to do in my church, but every now and then I would like to have a bit of my Saturdays to myself after church service. Time to just lay in my bed. Time to just sit by the Cumberland River to think and recharge. Time to just go out on walks.

This weekend I had a nice little getaway away from the many responsibilities I have back home. My parents and I went to Indian Creek Camp for the Adventurer Camporee. The Adventures are the younger kids of the Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinder Club. Myself and the other staff and parents were at the event to supervise and support our youth. I’m pleased that our kids seemed to enjoy themselves, earn a couple of honors, and hopefully grow more in Christ Jesus.

I got the biggest blessing by taking a stroll down to the field towards the end of the camp. There I was surrounded by tall trees, multicolored leaves scattered about the grassy floor, a reflecting lake down below the hills, and the cool Fall breeze brushing against my cheeks. I shut my eyes for a few minutes as I took in the serene setting. Being all the way out there helped cleanse my mind from any worry I had before arriving at the camp.

Though I do spend a lot of time indoors, I do genuinely love being outdoors. I especially love it during Fall and Spring when it’s not too cold or too hot. Being outside makes me feel bit closer to my Lord and Savior because I’m surrounded by his works and wonders; such as the different beautiful plants sprouting from the earth; birds soaring over my head into the blue; and lovely butterflies resting on flowers.

As my good friend David was saying to me the other day, sometimes you need to take some time to yourself. It’s good to always think of others and want to be there for everyone, but you must think about yourself and give yourself some breathing room. Otherwise you will make yourself incredibly unhappy.

God Bless!