Time to Shake Off the Cobwebs

It has been quite some time since I posted anything here on my blog, and though I feel a little built guilty about that, the principal reason mitigates that feeling significantly: We’ve had guests and travelled extensively over the Summer. Our preoccupation with hosting and with planning and executing our trips—including a long, significant trip to Greece’s Ionian coast—has pushed my writing onto the back burner. However, it has also given me grist for lots of potential blog posts, and so I will be throwing up a lot of travel blog stuff. At least, this is my intention.

But I suspect I am not alone in finding it difficult to do the things I want to do because of the abundance of things I must do. In my case, admittedly, this is likely due to a lack of effective time management, but it is actually difficult to balance the many competing demands on my time. Time for pet projects is scarce between work (the largest chunk), which involves chaplain office work in addition to preparing for and celebrating the Divine Services of the Church, and the demands of family, which sadly are dwindling as our children grow but are nonetheless significant. Maintaining any hobby seems idle and insignificant—maybe even a waste of time. But several recent studies have suggested that taking up a hobby is good for your mental health. In fact, doing so is increasingly being prescribed by care givers as part of their patients’ care plans.

Of course, such studies and prescriptions are only proving and implementing what the Church has known for centuries: idle hands are the devil’s playthings. Though the adage’s origin is unclear, it is clear throughout the Biblical texts that idleness is bad. Paul clearly took a dim view of idleness when he told the Thessalonians that “even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.” (2Thess 3:10-11) Even as far back, King Solomon warned that “He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.” (Prov 18:9) Many Solomon’s proverbs warn of the dire consequences of idleness.

Fear of those consequences are what led to the structured lives of monastics and the cycle of daily prayer services, the Office of the Hours, that Christians have observed from very early on—even a monk’s “free” time was purposefully used. So, I will devote more time to my hobbies, and this blog in particular, not only to keep the devil out of my business, but also to reap the benefits produced by engaging in those things that produce fruit in my life and in that of my family and friends.

Look for some entries into my Travelog, catching up on many of the trips we’ve made since I’ve been stationed in Italy. Starting with our trips this past Summer, I will post something every couple weeks.

I also plan to post a new sermon every week.

And at least once a month I will share my unsolicited opinion on a wide variety of topics, and I may even squeeze in another rant about my favorite sport before the season is over.

At least, that is the plan.