As I enter into the second wave of endless assignments that pile on top of each other I am beginning to be filled with anxiety. The 24 credit course load has certainly taken it’s toll. It is pretty okay, except when I have major assignments due in all 6 classes all within about three days of each other. Chaos then ensues. I made it through the first wave of chaos and came out with grades I was proud of, and I survived. There were many tears and many nights when I wasn’t sure there was any way in the world I could get everything done in time. But it happened, I did it.
But now it is happening again. I did it once, I can do it again. There is a reassuring confidence that I am just starting to find. I have made it this far, I can make it to the end of the semester. I am almost there. I am running a marathon and have maybe seven miles to go. I can do this.
If there is one thing I have learned through all of this is that self care, and time for prayer are critical. I know that there will be seasons in ministry where it feels like everything is falling apart all at once and so much of me is needed. It feels like that sometimes for me now.
I have found that if I take time to run or to exercise, and I take time to pray, things are just a little bit easier. I pray for focus and patience with myself. I pray for clarity. I pray for calm, that I might not get so overwhelmed that I can not do those things I am needed to do.
We have five weeks to go. I can do this. Not on my own. With the help and support of my loved ones and friends, and more importantly with divine help. The power of prayer is great, and no request is too small. Lord, help me make it through these next weeks with patience, clarity, and strength. May we all survive and thrive during the last weeks of the semester. This is the final stretch. Amen.