As I have said many times before, I have a very strong sense of guilt. I'm not sure who to thank (or curse) for this part of my life, but whether nature or nurture, my guilt is my traveling companion.
Guilt tends to show up when I'm really enjoying myself. Like last week, on vacation. I had a blissful week. A couple of days in a rented house on Martha's Vineyard. A couple of days in a house on a pond in New Hampshire. I went to a totally different mental space: delighting in sunshine and surf, green hills, light playing on the water, loon calls, fields of goldenrod, shade, cool breezes, fresh air.
Then guilt shows up. Just pokes her head in and stays long enough to ask a few questions. Like: what is the price of leisure? Should everyone have the right to experience such restfulness? If you could measure peace like flour or rice or gasoline, would the peace that I experienced last week be out of the price range of most Americans? Of most of the folks in my congregation? By what right do I claim my share of peace?
Our culture has developed quite a fascination with leisure--travel, food, sports, hobbies. What is it all for? Could there be a life in which work and leisure are interwoven? Or is our economic system such that leisure remains something that will be exclusive to the upper classes?
What is the cost of leisure? I know what the benefit is. It was an incredible week. But what is the cost?
Oh, guilt.
You are not the first to suggest that we work ourselves to death in America. I think we could adapt the siesta of Mexico, or the way people go home in France in the middle of the day from school and work, have a wonderful 12-2 rest.
ReplyDeleteI think we would be better for it.
I would venture to guess that everyone, no matter what their socioeconomic level, enjoys some sort of leisure. Granted, it may not come with a lake and a loon call, but I think that leisure can be found in the smallest of moments; family, friends, a quiet dinner. Don't feel guilty, feel blessed. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you had some time to rest and stop to smell the roses. We would all be nicer people and be of better service to ourselves and to others if we take the time to rest. The fact that you don't take your surroundings for granted and take it all in is a great thing.
ReplyDeleteLiving in south central Pennsylvania I catch glimpses of a people in our midst who seem to have a very different view of work and leisure. The Amish work, and they work hard, taking one day in seven to worship and recreate with each other. Yet in the simplicity of their lives they do not seem to need to "get away from it all" to find peace. Perhaps "the price" of the pursuit of leisure is that it leads to a fragmentation of our lives and hinders us from finding pleasure, satisfaction and peace in our work.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Jesus ever felt guilty about the gifts and blessings God gave to him? I don't think I've read anything in the Bible about Jesus feeling guilty. He did; however, feel a great sense of responsibility to care for the people who were suffering. He used his abilities to heal and to help people. God has given you some wonderful gifts, David. He doesn't want you to feel guilty about them. Trust in God. He needs you to help him. He works through you and through all of us. We have all been given gifts and blessings. We have a responsibility to God to use those gifts and blessings to lift up the people who are less fortunate than us. Feeling guilty because you have more than someone else doesn't help them. It's really a waste of time. God has given you the gift of a very kind, sensitive soul. You are very compassionate and loving. You are able to empathize with people. Don't feel guilty. Everyday thank God for your blessings. Ask him how you can help him and acknowledge that it's God's will be done. Remember too, there are no small acts of kindness and compassion. Everything we do to help others, no matter how small, has a rippling effect. Some things you may do to help people will be on a grand scale, but never underestimate the small acts of love. Jesus took time to be alone and to rest. It's very important for us to take time to restore and refresh our bodies, mind and soul. God has a lot of work a head of you this year so I hope you had a great vacation. Remember this too, God is with those people who are struggling. He loves them dearly. On the surface, it might look like God is far from them, but that is not true. He is sending people like you and others who will listen to help them. Your guilt can't help, but your love can.
David, I miss your posts when there is a long gap in-between. I have trouble making the time myself to be on here regularly, but I just wanted to let you know how refreshing your transparency always is. Please don't get discouraged or give up. God is using you in many people's lives through your postings! Sincerely, Linda
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