The benefits of a sabbatical...

I am back from my sabbatical - 3 months of stopping normal work, stepping aside and reflecting. It has been a huge privilege and blessing. Church ministry (like care workers and teachers) is emotionally demanding. " Do what gives you life", my mentor said. So we went travelling for the first time in 3 years. We visited Israel. It was wonderful. Please see my separate Israel blog post below... We were able to visit my son and his family in Canada for a month. Most of the time I feel like a WhatsApp granddad so it was great being there, going to the park, reading books, playing games, doing the school run - normal things. I rediscovered the benefits of solitude and silence (no phone or lap top - great!). We visited other churches on Sundays; Spent good time with our children; Read books (please see Books Read on my blog); Connected with old friends; Made time for physical challenges:longer runs (12 miles), longer walks (24 miles), drum lessons! My sabbatical was not all I expected. I expected to get a good plan for the next 3-5 years. Instead I feel like I have had a bike service. I needed a new inner tube (I was carrying 3 punctures). In fact I also needed new tyres! It was very good to stop. To rest. To be replenished. To travel. To see family. To have space to think. To have my tyres pumped up ready to go again. Taking a sabbatical is a very good thing.