ENOUGH Already!
Backward, to move forward...
?We’re told, don't put new in old wineskins, but...
?...in preparing for the new I'm taking a look back at some of the lessons I've learned along the way.
?One of those lessons was learning how to say..."Enough"
?In ministry there's always more to do -
and now-a-days there's also...
?And that's just the ministry "more" list. There's also family to consider and all of those 'mores' too.
?When I started in ministry, and each time I've gone to a new ministry site, there's been the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) assumption that I needed to do everything on each day's list of 'more' before finishing the day. Much of that expectation came from inside of me, as well as from those around me.
?But I soon realized that the list of 'more' was inexhaustible. No matter how many things I got checked off each day's list, there was...you got it...always MORE.
?After being told that I was leaving by the new senior pastor at the large congregation where I was serving as an associate pastor in my second position I served as the interim chaplain at a large, retirement community. They had skilled nursing care all the way up to independent living.
?The CEO made it very clear to me that I was to work no more than a 40 hour week, plus emergencies (i.e. someone dying). The reason was that the previous chaplain had gotten so enmeshed there that he was practically living there. He had a home nearby and usually came back after dinner and spent many more hours visiting people, even staying all night at times.
That experience taught me that there's a time to say "Enough" on most days. Of course there are the times to go the extra mile, or two. There are the times when we have to burn the midnight oil or rise earlier.
?But there are also the many days when it's time to know how and when to say,
"I've done enough for today, for this week."
?One of the problems with the faith leader who tries to be the Super Leader, doing it ALL, is that we then deprive others of the opportunity to be involved and do not raise up other leaders from the staff or the faith community.
?Not knowing when and how to say, "Enough" also leads to
- burnout
- lack of good self-care
- disrespect for immediate family
- needing to be needed
- and ultimately indicates that we don't trust God to provide through others
?How good are you at saying "Enough"? Would your family agree with your response? What example do you provide to others about self-care?
?This is a busy season for many faith leaders with Holy Week, Easter, and Passover coming next week. As busy and important as this time is, it's also time to think about saying "Enough."
?If you're ready to talk about this, reach out to me or to someone you trust.
?You are ENOUGH and you're worth taking care of yourself.
?Blessings,
Pastor Kathleen Panning