Tag: #bbq

I travel quite a bit for work, not quite as much as I did 5 years ago, but still once or twice a month. I had an early flight this morning but not so early that I needed to be awake at 2:30am. But that is exactly what I was, wide awake at 2:30am.

It was raining this morning, so I laid quietly in bed listening to the rain and thinking about all that has transpired over the past several months.  It really has been a roller coaster and a lot has changed. You see, I left a job that I loved in May, began independent consulting in June and accepted a position July. My husband wrapped his 25th year teaching in May, did consulting and contract work throughout June, July and August, and began the new school year last week. And our son graduated from high school in May, worked full-time over the summer and just began his freshman year of college last week.

The last few months have been filled with changes, have been extremely busy and have flown by in what seems like a blink of an eye. September is just around the corner and I am trying to figure out where spring and summer have gone.

But as busy and as crazy as it has been, we have managed to make time for each other. My husband and I went fishing several times since June and visited a number of local breweries (we like beer). We have gone on family motorcycle rides to the lake or on winding country roads – each of us recording over 1,000 this summer, had several family dinners, barbecues and bonfires together, and even survived the 20 hour road trip to Florida without killing each other. I am truly grateful for all of the family time and I am happy that we make it a priority to make time for each other.

And as crazy as this summer has been with its ups and downs, uncertainties, concerns, changed plans, busyness and challenges, I have managed to keep God the central part of life. Except for those two weeks in May when I wasn’t speaking to him.  Fortunately we got through that trying time. Well, I guess He waited patiently for me to get through it.

My family was instrumental in making sure I made time for God. See, we all spend time with God in our own way. I like to begin my day with mass. While my husband often goes with me, he starts his day with God in other ways. But he encourages me to spend time with God in my own way. We often share reflections and thoughts with each other or talk about the saints (yes, crazy, I know).

So this morning, when I left the house before 5am to catch my early morning flight, although I missed mass, I did make time for God.  I prayed before I ate my road warrior breakfast (I love the Quest bars). And I will pray morning prayer on the plane and say a rosary, I will study the readings from today’s mass and read the reflections. And I will pray for each of you as I traveled to Savannah for a mere 36 hours.

So today make time for and support your family in the things that are important to them. Carve out a little time for God too, because you are important to Him. Please pray for me and I will continue to pray for you.