tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303691337701412930.post4274998823551675990..comments2023-10-29T12:35:06.856-04:00Comments on Free Falling and Defying Gravity: Hello From the Eastern ShoreWounded and Healinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17442707317362036427noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303691337701412930.post-28103043853244422892013-02-28T06:15:20.895-05:002013-02-28T06:15:20.895-05:00I can remember the first year or so in this placem...I can remember the first year or so in this placement [my first], regularly in tears ringing my mentor because I thought I had never left to offer. One thing that helped me is that I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago - with medication my emotions are now not all over the place. Experience and good supervision, as well as medication, has allowed me to be more realistic about what is possible in a week, and more aware of my energy levels and caring for myself as well as leading the congregation. I find it much easier to balance my various commitments, am better able to set priorities, and have less feelings of guilt and worthlessness. <br />I am not suggesting you are depressed, butthe diagnosis and treatement have made a huge difference for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303691337701412930.post-37854749995605298822013-02-26T14:00:08.509-05:002013-02-26T14:00:08.509-05:00Normal, I don't know, but you are not alone. ...Normal, I don't know, but you are not alone. So many, many parallels. Pastoring a UMC congregation that loves me and is gracious about their expectations and really does care for my family; mothering to two children and caring for a household and trying to be fully present as wife, too; and somehow nurturing my own spiritual growth in the midst of it...<br /><br />Yeah, I feel overwhelmed too. And I do cry about it regularly. Although not as much as I did a year or two ago. But still weekly. <br /><br />I have been wrestling with this a lot lately, and I don't know what the answer is. Are (even seemingly reasonable) expectations of clergy just so far out of whack? Is it that I'm trying to have it all (vocation/career, motherhood, etc)? Is it that my priorities are out of order, and I'm failing to care for my own soul first? Is it all of the above, or something else entirely? <br /><br />If I have any insights, I'll let you know. :) In the meantime, prayers for grace and peace in the midst...Amy Wagnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303691337701412930.post-60059331314283291002013-02-25T22:41:07.488-05:002013-02-25T22:41:07.488-05:00You have a LOT on your plate... Self care (which y...You have a LOT on your plate... Self care (which yes, means getting a house cleaner) is a good idea. But also too is your "day off"... Praying for you as God nourishes and cherishes you and refills you.<br /><br />BTW - if you are on Maryland's Eastern Shore, we should meet some time... I may have a child going to Washington College in the fall. ;)Debhttp://unfinsymphony.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303691337701412930.post-86290559533589800002013-02-25T21:07:43.242-05:002013-02-25T21:07:43.242-05:00I do have a housekeeper...although I am in the pro...I do have a housekeeper...although I am in the process of "firing" the one I have and getting a new one. My current one is rather expensive for what she does and expects the house to be VERY TIDY when she arrives, or she charges me more. It's more stressful than helpful. So, I'm "interviewing" another one on Thursday who will be cheaper and I get the sense we will "click" more. And if she's cheaper, then I can have her come every week instead of every other week. Wounded and Healinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17442707317362036427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3303691337701412930.post-35816748757931347652013-02-25T20:55:32.769-05:002013-02-25T20:55:32.769-05:00Let's see, is it "normal" to feel so...Let's see, is it "normal" to feel so stretched and thin, worn and prone to illness? Yes. But that is not necessarily a good thing. It is however common. The real challenge is how to find time to tend to your self as well as tend to family and tend to church.....it does get easier with time as more and more of the church life becomes routine - but it is always difficult. and, all those funerals - exhausting! But funerals do come and go, so you will get a reprieve from that in time. <br /><br />I'm glad you love your churches and they love you, no doubt that helps. I hope you can find other ways to help - do you have a housekeeper? Expensive but can make a real difference in your life....? and any other things you can find to ease your daily burden and increase your relaxation and quality time. Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15667178624061122421noreply@blogger.com