I was thinking today about how our family life has been different since moving to San Diego. Especially on Sundays. For the past six years Adam was employed in full-time church ministry. Sunday was a work day in every sense of the word.
In our former life Adam would leave the house around seven on Sunday morning to prepare for church. While Adam was gone I was responsible for getting the kids dressed. At eight-thirty Adam would swing by the house to pick us up (we were and still are a one car family). Thankfully we lived less than ten minutes from the church. The first service began at nine and the second service was over by twelve-thirty but we always hung around afterwards. Sometime between one and one-thirty the church was locked up and we often enjoyed lunch out alone or with church family. Two to three times out of the month Adam and/or I had a church-related meeting later in the day. We rarely made plans for a Sunday because Adam would be (understandably) exhausted.
Since moving to San Diego we are learning how to relax and pace ourselves on Sunday mornings. Considering that Adam and I seem unable to sleep past six-thirty we have more than enough time to prepare for church. This morning I took a nice long walk through the neighborhood while Adam experienced some uninterrupted time on his computer. I even had time to eat a proper breakfast and make coffee before we left the house. Sunday has turned into a family day. After church today the family headed to the beach for some much needed R&R.
Once we get plugged into serving at a local church our Sunday schedule may change again. But for now I’m enjoying my agenda-free day.
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I think that’s wonderful!
It has been wonderful. I don’t want to to forget to be thankful for all the pastors and church staff (and their families) who work hard on Sundays on our behalf – it might be part of the job but there is still sacrifice involved.
Your post made me smile because I was thinking about the opposite this Sunday. I have to admit that after Doug and I left the youth ministry at our previous church, I enjoyed the agenda free Sundays. This week, we jumped back into a full schedule Sunday with Doug playing in the band, church in the morning, meetings in the afternoon and then the youth group meeting – followed by another meeting… I am enjoying getting back into a church but Sunday morning I was missing the thought of a lazy, restful afternoon
. So glad to hear you guys are adjusting to California – and who can’t love a beach visit on Sunday afternoon!