Tomorrow I begin my October sabbatical. Or as my friend Ian calls it, my October Jubilee. I’m really looking forward to the partial “digital fast” of no email or voicemail (though I will still write on this blog). I’m also looking forward to unstructured days that allow time for thought, reflection, and prayer.
One of the goals of this break is to recalibrate. I’m not looking for a new job or new spiritual experience. It’s not a “halftime” event. But I do feel the need to stop, rest, create a bit of margin in my life, and spend time without as much background noise. In doing so, I’m hoping to hear that still small voice of God … and from there, I have no idea. That’s the fun thing about hearing God’s voice; you have no idea what might happen.
I have a lot of interests in life. Business, missions, globalization, junkyards, issues of wealth & poverty, racial reconciliation, wine, fighting the nanny-state, real estate, church, reading, education, baseball, football, wine, travel, cross-cultural understanding, wine, jazz, capitalism, the environment, strategic thinking, Hawaii, genealogy, theology, politics, reading, wine, classic and sports cars, first-edition books, history, the Sierras, reading, olive oil, art, gourmet food, Belize, golf, golden retrievers, friends, Kevin, Rachel, Jedd, and D’Aun. Not to mention my extended family. And future grandchildren. Just to name a few. Did I mention wine and reading?
In the midst of all this, it’s sometimes hard to stay focused. My brain and heart go in a lot of directions, and that leads to … well, sometimes joy and beauty. Sometimes chaos. We all face this, it’s nothing unusual. What I’m doing is taking the time to say “stop” and then create a bit of space to reflect, pray, and listen. From there, who knows? For now, I’m just looking for margin that allows me to figure out my priorities.
Thank you to everybody who made this possible. You know who you are. D’Aun is first on the list. Mark and Adrienne at PathLight. Nick, Kristie, Aimee, Ron, and Phyllis at Goble Properties. Anne will be wearing multiple hats, as always, and will play traffic cop coordinating things in my absence. Too many people to mention will be taking care of the organizations I’m involved with. A dozen or so folks helped me think through the best way to approach this break; they also helped me think through my priorities and gave me great information to take into this season of life. I walk (run?) into this break with a deep thankfulness for the good folks around me. Thank you.
See you all soon. Adios, aloha, arrivederci!