So you are a youth pastor too? Here’s your week. Going from a meeting with a parent to a meeting with a student back into a meeting with a small group leader after that you are discussing trip locations for mission trips, not to mention that message you need to work on for this weekend, oh and don’t forget about that birthday party you were invited to! Am I accurate in describing this? This is just a standard week in the life of a youth pastor.
Last weekend we had our winter camp. This camp was bucket loads of fun jam packed with long days of worship, camp activities and typical camp shenanigans like random yeti sightings. Although most of the weekend went along without any surprises I was exhausted the days following camp.
Thankfully we agreed as a team that the following day would be an off day, making no appearance in the office and do what you need to do to get rested up. I took the last couple of days to refresh physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
- Be a couch potato. Most of the time this is frowned upon and anyone that knows me would know I spend very little time watching TV. I’m usually busy with my hands in the garage or doing yard work. The day after camp I literally sat in the same chair almost all day playing a video game and watching some documentaries on Netflix. This allowed for some serious introvert time that was needed post camp.
- Go on a walk. Just a quick 20 minute walk through the park by my house allowed me to clear my mind and give space to think about what the next few days needed to look like for a full recovery.
- Devotional & Prayer. Currently I’ve been reading and re-reading the Circle Maker prayer devotional, it’s great! Reading this along with scripture and just sitting in silence listening to God is a great exercise anytime, but especially after a loud weekend.
- Date my wife. Whether it be to our favorite Tex-Mex spot for nachos, a train ride downtown for sushi or a night in at home, I just love spending time with Calla. We share so many experiences together, including many winter camps. She’s my partner in crime and I can’t imagine doing life without her.
- Organize. I do find rest in organizing my garage. I do a lot of projects in our home and for friends, most of those projects are spent using tools and time in the garage. The more organized my garage is the more apt I am to begin and finish a project within a realistic time frame. I become easily frustrated when I begin asking myself the question, “Where is the….”
- Into the wild. My backyard is the Texas Hill Country. Within 30 minutes I can get off the beaten path and into the woods, hike alongside a river, explore a canyon, try my best to catch a fish or identify a plant species I’m unfamiliar with. I feel most in touch with my creator when I get away from it all and observe the natural beauty of the wilderness that He has created.
- Mix it up. Doing something completely out of the context of your norm is healthy and can bring a refreshing perspective, it’s a vacation from the daily routine. If you do life in the suburbs, go downtown. Haven’t been to a museum since you were in elementary, visit one. Grab a coffee with an old friend you haven’t talked with in a long time.
How do you rest? Share your best rest practices in the comment section!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
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