It’s a big week for the Aho family! Michael and I moved into the middle manse on Saturday, ably assisted by a crowd of MPC people, especially the youth and their parents. Together we moved boxes and furniture in the rain, organized dishes in the kitchen, broke down boxes, and tried to fix the oven. Fingers are crossed that the fix stays fixed through Thanksgiving, when several Ahos will be joining us… and meanwhile Michael and I have settled into the work of unpacking and organizing, feeling a fair dose of exhaustion balanced by an immense gratitude.
Before we moved, Michael sat down with me and said, very seriously, “we’re getting an amazing manse, from your work… so let’s do everything we can to make sure you stay happy at work, so we can stay here a good long time.” I added a “God willing,” but accepted the challenge. Although I don’t think it will be very hard to stay happy here, still, there will be some adjusting as I negotiate new work-life boundaries in a place where my commute can literally be measured in seconds. I may have to sit on my hands to keep myself from running over to the office “just for a minute…”
Last week I was in Tahoe with my cohort in the Company of New Pastors, and my mentor gave me a good reminder. Our work as pastors is not to avoid burnout. Burnout comes with the territory. Even the word burnout was originally coined by and for pastors; there’s no way to avoid it. No, our work is to manage burnout, a much more realistic task. I imagine this may resonate for some of you who are in high-burnout lines of work or study. Anyway, I’m intentionally trying to build healthy patterns of rest and Sabbath, of prayer and gratitude, to keep the flame burning at a sustainable pace. I wish the same for you in your prayer and labor, in your homes and workplaces, and in your families. And a Happy Thanksgiving!
Every Blessing,
Talitha
PS: those of you who haven’t “friended” me on Facebook or Instagram might enjoy seeing this photo from moving day.
