An Interim Ends

Every time that I have been "called to serve" since retiring,  I have strongly believed that to be God's doing.  I have had four interim opportunities in the past four years.   I have always expected each time, that it will be the last, and indeed,  that could certainly be the case.

This time, I have preached for the past three months, filling in between the last pastor, and the next Interim, who arrives tomorrow.   Those weeks included Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter.  It also included Pentecost Sunday and Mother's Day, all of which are some of my favorite occasions for leading worship.   I have served this congregation before, so there is a very special connection there.   They had a specific need, and I suppose, so did I.   My time there these months fulfilled both my need to preach occasionally, and their need for a temporary pastor.

 For me, the good part about doing interim ministry, and having an end-date, is that it keeps me from emotionally and spiritually taking on the full load of responsibility.  While I might not have been entirely ready to give up preaching,  I definitely was and am ready to give up being the pastor in charge.

So, today, I could step away with gratitude, and without sadness.  I believe they will be in good hands.

It has been a long and arduous journey getting to this point--where I am at peace, and have no unfulfilled ambitions, or burning needs to accomplish. Contentment is a very very good place to be.  I highly recommend it.

This is not to say that I do not have goals;  indeed I do.   It is just that they are smaller, and less compelling, and pressing.  Mostly they have to do with doing things that bring me joy.

Learning to live in the present moment is a big part of serenity.

At certain moments,  serenity is mine!