Time Management

by Debi Pryde

When a Christian worker describes himself as “burned out,” he is usually expressing a sense of having exhausted all of his available physical, mental, or spiritual resources. Those in such a state of mind find it a fitting analogy to compare themselves to a candle that has burned to the place of consuming itself, its flame flickering in its final moments before extinguishing with a faint puff of smoke. We often use such colorfully descriptive words when continual hardship, fatigue, or weariness of mind have begun to severely erode our sense of purpose, enthusiasm, or resilience to opposition. Just as often, however, we use the same expression to describe a wearisome monotony that can be associated with continual boredom, a lack of challenging goals, unfulfilled expectations, or continual dependence on self rather than on Christ.

“Burnout” or weariness can be caused by one or many underlying problems. It can be the result of something as simple as prolonged physical fatigue or as complex as having chosen wrong goals, motives, or priorities. Sometimes it is a problem that can be resolved rather easily with appropriate encouragement, adjustments in one’s daily routines, or information that provides a new or better perspective. Finding more effective ways to understand and resolve problems, making changes that alleviate unnecessary burdens, or redirecting one’s energy and focus more constructively can produce a dramatic difference in one’s outlook and enthusiasm for Christian service.
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by Beth Murschell

Until a month or so ago, my in-laws owned a little vacation cottage on the Jersey shore, built by Mick’s great grandfather. I’ve only been acquainted with it for 12 years or so, but each visit marks changes in the scenery—a kind of renovation sundial. This time, the new owner (a distant cousin) had transformed the attic into a miniature loft, accessible by a spiral staircase, which enchanted the children. The entire house would fit into our own kitchen/living room. Eight people, his parents and us, occupied 400 square feet of space for three days during inclement weather.

The last time we came six years ago, we had only the photograph of our first child, who was awaiting us in Korea. Now six of us flew up from Florida and headed for the shore in a rented van full of car seats. When we arrived, we saw the markers of passing time everywhere: new construction, pilings and dunes that had disappeared during one storm were back, old shore houses that used to be occupied were decaying. The neighbor ladies next door spent one evening cutting down a set of trees and bushes that had been an eyesore for 40 years. “Remove not the old landmark” has been cast aside as house after house either grows taller or is replaced altogether.

Time should slow down at the shore. But Strathmere’s bell tower chimes hymns at noon and six, and a siren sounds for the end of the work day. Construction crews pound out the hours while their radio pounds out the music.

One chilly walk to the beach to build sandcastles resulted in a treasure of sorts: a small sand shark, decaying in a shallow grave. We were downwind of this treasure for long enough to regret it.
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