Back in the Saddle

I've been back at work after my six month sabbatical for two weeks now. I can't really say I came back feeling refreshed and re-energized. Ending the sabbatical felt more like getting out of the hospital after a needed procedure and recovery time rather than returning from a pleasant vacation. It was certainly helpful for me, and probably my family, to function at such a slower pace for such a sustained period of time, particularly during a season when David's job was pretty intense. And I tried to take advantage of the time I had to do as many restful and restorative things as I could think of: reading, swimming, watching movies, prayer retreats, counseling, etc. But I kind of knew going into it that the time away from ministry would more make it possible for me to keep going rather than renew me for the next season. For that reason, I postponed some of the re-visioning for my call and commitment to InterVarsity that I had intended to do during the sabbatical to a later time. I'm just not in a place to make major decisions right now. And I feel fine about staying the course with a ministry I value for another few years until I'm more in a place to decide about the next season of my life.

I have enjoyed reconnecting with the students and staff that I work with. While it was helpful to step back from those relationships during the sabbatical, it certainly wasn't because I didn't value them or enjoy their company. I'm glad to be back in their lives, even if they're getting a somewhat more subdued Anne, at least right now. After all that's gone on this year, I'm curious to see the effects on how I minister to others.

On an unrelated note, I had a somewhat distressing conversation with my son today about politics (who, for those who might not know, is 3). We were looking at a picture in the newspaper and talking about the debate we had on TV last night. I asked him who he would vote for. He thought for a minute and replied, "Papa." I asked, "What about Mama?" He said no, only boys could be president, causing an inward gasp of dismay from me. I protested that girls could be president too, and he thought about that for a minute. "Well," he said, "maybe if you wear glasses, Mama," referring, I'm sure, to a certain VP candidate. I must admit that, personally, I found both comments equally disturbing, but for different reasons. May the conversation be different with him in four years...