A change of seasons

So, I've been reflecting on the rhythms of my life and kind of a Benedictine way of life- where everything is oriented around set parts of the day- there' s a time for working, some for praying/spiritual growth, time for recreation/exercise, and a time for rest. At least I think I have those right- there may be another, like a time to study I think- yes, that is so. Anyway, I was reflecting on the coming of Fall, and September in general. It is a short month to begin with (30 days hath September...) and then with eveything that goes on, it always seems to fly by. October doesn't seem so fast, because I'm waiting for my birthday. (I neither delight nor dread its coming anymore, its just a fixed date and I can mark the rest of the month by it). I was thinking of how everyone goes back to school in the fall, new classes, new shoes, new pencils and textbooks, new teachers, new year. It struck me how we like to make each new season a new beginning.

For me, though, it has always meant an end of summer, and a beginning of work. Studies were never that hard for me, so school work was just that, mostly work- deadlines, things to create, important dates of tests, etc. It also happens that my first day of "real" employment- my first real job as a youth minister, was 9-9-90. It was a Sunday, and an easily memorized date. Eight years later, that date would take on different connotations concerning the labor force, as it is the birthdate of my oldest child, 9-9-98. September is also always Labor Day- the day celebrating all those employed (and oppressed by the 'man', but we'll save that for another day). So fall becomes my season of work- time to get down to business, to knuckle down and get in there and get the hands dirty- work.

Then I go backwards and think about the beginning of summer- not a June 1st goes by without me remembering the start of summer camp. It has been a part of my life in one form or another for 17 of the last 23 summers. Some of those meant intense work for me, but there is always an element of being at summer camp that is just flat out fun. Even though as a director especially, and in other capacities too, I have worked my tail off for the summer, it is by-in-large fun work. There are always moments to act silly, sing songs, be in skits, laugh with friends, watch a sunset and enjoy a special corner of God's kingdom known as camp. So, for me, summer is the recreation/exercise/play season.

Then there's spring. Spring isn't spring until Easter for me. Easter (and Lent somewhat) represents a major spiritual growing season. It is both a time of reflection and great joy- Easter is the center of my faith, and it does bring new life and birth. There is something that reverberates in the depths of me- my spirit awakens with the warm weather. (I also find I am tied to a seasonal calendar in my temperature preferences- I hate being cold and do much better in warmer climes). So, Spring becomes my season of prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth and depth. I usually awaken from spiritual lethargy, and aspire to greater devotion- it is a return, a rebirth and new life in my spirit.

That leaves winter. Most people have new beginnings in the winter- the new calendar year, resolutions, etc. Not me so much. Holidays are OK- but are sometimes loaded with family dynamic landmines and negotiating the pleasing game becomes overshadowed with the materialism/ greed of my kids and then January and February just get lost in a desire for warmer weather. I would have to say that if I could have it any way I wanted it, Winter would be my season of rest- in particular sleep. I could seriously hibernate. It makes getting stuff ready for Christmas kinda hard- all that hustle and bustle- getting presents, wrapping them, getting a tree, decorating- and really I'd just like to curl up in bed and snooze. There's the whole S.A.D. and lack of sunlight and all that- plus my body doesn't tolerate the cold so well. So, even though I can't always have it that way for the whole season, let's call winter the resting season.

That leaves study. I'd like to think I am a student all the time. That's partially true and mostly a load of manure. I have very little free time for reading and true study. I do reflect, think, ponder, feed myself snippets of ideas and chew on morsels of information- but the true meaty work of studying doesn't happen much. And so, I am way excited that I am about to start a Bible study- and maybe be leading parts of it- since in preparing for leading Bible studies has almost always led to my greatest studying (albeit narrowly focused on the lesson for the day). While I don't see myself as a PhD candidate at any point in my life, I do feel as if I'll be moving a little closer to fulfilling the study piece of my Benedictine life. There's some joke around here at the moment about a monastery and me and my husband- but I'm not finding it. Substitute your own here now.