Work

The tugboat picture was taken in Douglas last weekend. Tugboats seems like they represent work.

I've had a fair amount of time off over the past few weeks, and this weekend I am back to work. My schedule is pretty busy over the next few weeks. I always hate going back after time off, even though I usually enjoy my job once I get there. Thursday night as I was mentally organizing myself for the weekend, I got to thinking about the whole idea of work. Was this the way the Creator planned it? Was the time in the garden leisure or did Adam have work to do in caring for the garden, other than naming things. I wonder about this in light of the sabbath commandment. Then after the fall the whole thing about toil, and the sweat of your brow. Or did any work done in the garden just not seem like a burden prior to the fall? What was it like before sin spoiled everything?
Last night wasn't bad at all, often it isn't work I dislike, but the conflict with other parts of my life.
Wishing everyone a good weekend.
Shalom

This and That

I am currently watching the movie "The Visitor"

a good, thought provoking film, but it is slow moving. Definitely worth watching, good for a rainy afternoon like today.

Sunday friends from Cedar Campus ran the GR marathon. We got to visit with them briefly over lunch before they headed back to Ft. Wayne.

Saturday Mark and I took a drive to see the fall color and shopped a little in Saugatuck. We got a little Christmas shopping done. We also enjoyed some wine tasting at a new place there. A nice weekend.

Tonight I have to go back to work after having some vacation time the past two weeks.

I have nothing profound to say, so this is it. Have a good week everyone.

Shalom

Carol

Mentoring

Over the last year or so I have become more aware of my role as a mentor to coworkers. While I don't usually train new staff, I am usually the most experienced nurse on my shift, and I know many look at me as a resource. That is a role I am comfortable in, I am more concerned about my example as a Christian.

As a young nurse I worked with a woman who "wore her Christianity on her sleeve" but was obviously hypocritical. She frequently spouted Christian sayings, and tried to pray with patients, but was very judgemental and could be condescending. Because of this I have been reluctant to be obviously Christian in the workplace. I know those who get to know me are aware of my faith, but I often worry about how I am viewed by those around me. If on a particular night I am lazy or self centered how does that reflect on my testimony.

This topic has been on my mind a lot lately, brought up by training at work, sermons, Titus II study, book club reading, and Sunday school class. Most of my coworkers are young enough t be my children so the information from Sunday school about the younger generation is helpful. I recommend the book UnChristian by David Kinnaman. I am just starting to read it.

Shalom

Carol

Autumn

Saturday afternoon I got out the flannel sheets and electric blankets. That evening when I left a friends house I smelled wood smoke from a fireplace, and more lovely wood smoke outside when I got home. Fall is really here. Still hoping to have one more bit of "indian summer" after this beautiful September.

Now I have some time off work, so I'm hoping to get a few things done at home, and also enjoy some social times. Looking forward to book club on Thursday and coffee house on Friday.

Happy Autumn