Years ago, more than a decade now, I was captivated by this line in one of Annie Dillard's books: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." It was about choosing presence over productivity. It was about the power of a schedule and a routine to shape life. For me, it was a warning. It spoke of the temptation to believe that our time away from our regular living was what made our life worth living when it is, in fact, the opposite. We should fill our daily existence with the things of life.
And so I set upon renewal leave with a eye toward "being" more than "doing." With a curiosity and wonder about what is necessary to spend my days (and thus my life). Without the structured plan and goal of a sabbatical, I prayed this time away would help me re-center my time back. I hoped it would help me discover the ways that my hours can be spent seeing clearly in times of delusion.
Here are the ways I spent my days:
Stillness – with openness and attention and napping
Movement – stretching, flexibility, walking humbly with God, and the risk and challenge of snowshoeing unfamiliar trails alone
Listening – especially to the voices on the margins, those Jesus called us to hear, birdsong
Get Outside – both into nature and get outside myself
Nourishment – could be good food but also prayer, beauty, studying
Play – wonder, curiosity, creativity, the cats loved this emphasis
Connection – light a candle, hold others in prayer, nurture relationships and community, find ways of solidarity with those suffering
Specifically, I took two continuing education classes: "God Unbound: Wisdom from Galatians for the Anxious Church with Elaine Heath" a three-week course I took with Carolyn Ekle and I began a 4-month seminar with Margaret Wheatley "Were We Made for These Times." I attended colleagues' worship services including Friday night Sabbath services at Temple Beth Abraham. I played with pastels in a class with artist Marlene Rye.
I finished 13 books: 4 non-fiction and 9 fiction. I recommend Pulitzer-prize winning "The Night Watchman" by Louise Erdrich, in part, because it has implications for the current NH bill trying to erase indigenous communities. And Becky Chambers' series on the adventures of Sibling Dax and the Wild Robot ("A Psalm for the Wild-Built" and "A Prayer for the Crown Shy"). Also "Making Time" and "The Amen Affect" were on point for renewal leave.
I also practiced Yoga, spent time with family, and got some dental work. I'm grateful for the break and for how it will inform my days. Somewhere I read we are made to "exist collectively rather than shine individually" and that resonates in these trying times.
Pastor Kelly
