The art of play dates

The art of play dates

Everyone knows that the holidays in ministry can be hectic to the point of losing all holiday cheer.

I've been rudely awakened this week to one reality that makes all the difference.

A play date in the middle of all the hurry and work at the height of the frenzy is an absolute must.

I get so busy working and scheduling and not sleeping that I lose track of having fun. A minister might be able to hide the feelings of stress and lack of joy for a while but, seriously folks, when we aren't having fun anymore no one else is either.

We can’t go around rejoicing about the spirit of the season and be bedraggled. It doesn't work and all our congregants start to feel sorry for the poor overworked pastor. And this season is not about us-it’s about the Savior we preach.

A few years ago I was exhausted as usual and I was worried about how all the events and special services and extra commitments were going to fall into place. And then in the midst of it all my husband ‘kidnapped’ me for the day. It was the week before Christmas and I strongly protested and went with him kicking and screaming with expletives to boot. He insisted I had permission from the elders to escape the mayhem for a day and a night.

As we drove away from town to a destination that was still a secret, we talked and laughed and renewed our friendship with each other. I was still very leery about this escape plan in the height of when I needed to be at church.

We drove for hours and finally arrived in Dallas, Texas. After we checked into a hotel we dressed formerly for an evening event that was still a secret. He escorted me to the Dallas concert hall and there we received the entrance to the Michael W. Smith Christmas concert with the Dallas Symphony.

I was in heaven as I listened to the symphony and the power of the music lifted me beyond any of my concerns. It was pure joy. In that moment I realized how important it was to play. I realized how important it was to hang out with your best friend. I realized how important it was to get centered in the love of life.

That Christmas my energy and enthusiasm was at a high. The work that still had to be done didn’t disappear but I came to it with a new attitude. I approached the final days before the ‘big’ event with a renewed and refreshed spirit.

This past Monday I took the time to play. I had no idea that a lunch date and a trip to an antique store would be a play date. But, when the day was over I realized once again, that play and having fun in the midst of a highly stressful time is a must.

Our parishioners deserve to have their pastors fresh, renewed and full of joy and hope. If we refuse to take the time to have fun then we deprive ourselves of offering this message to those who come to hear God’s Word proclaimed.

When we have played in the midst of the frenzy we are more able to recognize the joy in doing and being. So, friends in ministry, it’s a few days away from Christmas and I offer you these few words. My prayer to you is to take the time to play today.

God is about to become incarnate and we are about to receive him. Will we be ready to receive the child as a child?

Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas.