Pulling the Plug!

My friend and church planting counterpart just wrote a blog about disconnecting. I totally sympathize with him in this matter. This is a very real issue for me and Anitra as we both have "jobs" that seem to be very difficult to Unplug from. Anitra is a full time mom and wife and I am a full time pastor/church planter. Even though I don't have to "work" all the time...it's always on my mind. In my head I am always working. Anitra on the other hand...it's not just in her head..it's always before her. We love our kids...but boy they are demanding. We have a 7 month old that requires constant attention and a 2 year old that is more capable to do things on her own but is in that stage where she craves mommy's affection ALL THE TIME! We both need to learn how to Unplug! I think that Anitra more than me has the weaker hand in this situation because at least I can get away to the Panera Bread (where I am now, typing this blog) and think, pray, read and clear my head for a moment. My wife is attached...plugged into a life of relentless care and nurture for some children (and a husband) that we love so much but are always there.
So, what do we do?
We know that this part of our life as parents is just a stage, and a very important one at that...but we are still human...I mean, my wife is still very human and even though she is a Super Human, she still needs to Unplug. I am so frustrated because I think I know what that looks like for her, but she does not know what that looks like...Well, why not? Maybe, because it's been 9 years since she has regularly unplugged from the "job". She speaks of getting a paying job in the workforce world...is this just a ploy to "unplug" while earning some cash. That would be nice...extra cash is good. But, isn't the real answer finding a solution for her to unplug from the most important job she holds now...wife and mother.
Well, as a community here are some WALLS we have hit on a personal level...

1. We've hit a wall in our marriages
*It's a blatant reality that every marriage hits walls from time to time. It's painful and hard to bust through the walls we face. This church planting journey has helped draw us closer in our marriages but has also produced some walls...Jesus, give us unity...

2. We've hit a wall spiritually on an individually level
*The spiritual adrenaline has worn off! We no longer have any Jesus Juice to keep us motivated and excited...you can see it. So what do we do? Well, God's timing is always perfect. A small Brazilian church planter, humble and shy, shared with me and Kevin last week a timely word from the Lord. We must operate from a Word of the Lord being revealed in our life, because cleverness will only take us so far. Jesus, speak to us...
(Yesterday, God spoke to me through the Book of Haggai, read it)

3. We've hit a wall emotionally
*Our emotions have been running at an all time high since June. Even before then, because this whole process of making a BIG decision to pack up and move was no small emotional process...So, now the emotional roller coaster has begun...it would seem that almost anything could send us spinning for a double loop on the coaster of emotions...which of course if we can't get a grip emotionally, than that affects our spiritual energy and the marital energy needed to maintain balance. Jesus, make us Happy...

So what does this have to do with Unplugging?

It's in the unplugging that we find the rest we need in Christ to maintain the balance, regain the energy, and re-dream the vision that God has given us for this church planting journey.

I have heard it said "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...and I have found this to be true. When my wife took a trip to Miami 2 weeks ago to be with her family, I found myself really missing her and wanting to be with her. Without that momentary "Unplugging" I would not have had the opportunity to experience the Joy of Plugging back into the flow of our marriage when she returned. The down time gave me what I needed to appreciate the role that we play in each others life.

Is it okay for us to unplug or is that just an excuse for laziness? Well, let me point out some biblical principles: 1. God rested on the 7th day after creating the universe in 6. 2. God established the law of the Sabbath day which is a day of rest. 3. Jesus got away for 40 days to fast and pray (Matthew 4) 4. And even before his crucifixion he went to a garden to disconnect and pray.

Let us practice the spiritual discipline of unplugging. Don't feel guilty, don't beat yourself up, and don't over spiritualize it....Just get away, on a regular basis and unplug.

Lord, may in our times of unplugging be refreshed and re-energized so that this great mission you have entrusted us with might be carried out with gusto and enthusiasm. May we not be bored, or tired, or burned out...so that we can carry the torch of your love to the four corners of our city and world. Make us marathon believers, enduring until the end, that we might be saved.

Thank You Kevin for starting this conversation...it was good timing!