Finishing the Paper

One down. One to go. It takes about an hour a page, all told, not including the first reading of the materials, to complete a paper. Each paper is 5 to 6 pages. So there is at least 12 hours of just paper writing here. Not to mention the hours of reading, tracking quotes for the ministry file, and doing the spiritual formation exercises. Hear me whine?

You would think I hate doing this, but the truth is that I am finally beginning to understand some of the philosophies that have impacted my religious journey. Not my faith so much, just the ways in which that faith has found community and expression. It is fascinating to trace how the reactions I have had over time match the writings of the theologians. Nice to be able to articulate and turn over in your mind reasons for why you were uncomfortable with some iterations of Church and why others have so much appeal.

Today, I know I will finish my paper. I am not particularly relishing the work, but I am encouraged that the product of all this labor is well worth the effort. So I dig in once again, wishing it could all somehow magically flow from my head to the monitor screen in a straight forward fashion rather than helter skelter and then needing intervention.

Outside the day is gorgeous. The kids are planning a park expedition. The leaves are wonderful hues of gold, yellow, bronze, red, and every shade inbetween. The sky is alluring blue. I am thankful that I do not have an outside window in my office or the call of the outdoors might be too much to resist. Even the fully opened delicate pink rose by the front door chides me not to waste my time inside today. But I do resist. And if I work very hard, perhaps I can still manage some breath of fresh air before nightfall.

Work along steady and constant. Keep plugging away. Soon you will be done and free. Never mind that next week you will do the same thing again. Just concentrate on today. This is not forever. Only for a season. And like any seed planted, will bear good fruit on down the road when you need it most. And you DO know what those seasons can be like.