It’s mid way through Lent and despite my promise to be positive I have to let this go somewhere, so you will have to do. There are lots of positive things happening, which is partly why I’ve not blogged for a few days. But you will of course know that sometimes the one negative thing sticks in your mind and begins to colour other things.

This week at the close of the third evening meeting of the week, we were arranging when the next meeting of the group should be. The suggestion from an elder as that it be a Wednesday evening in a week where I had already commented that I already had three evening meetings.

Wednesday is supposed to be my regular day off. It was to be an opportunity for the other adult in my house to have some kind of social life beyond his work and family.

So in the midst of our meeting another elder commented that was my day off, to which the original elder said “does that include the evening.”. Silence…

Well yes it does include the evening when much of the activity you undertake happens post 5pm, and a good number of evenings you don’t get in until 9.30pm.

Of course what did I do? I agreed to have a meeting on the Wednesday evening.

The issue surrounding my day off was raised by the session clerks at the session meeting in the past because they had grown aware that for a variety of reasons I was struggling to fit a day off in. For some my choice of day is frustrating, although to be honest I don’t think changing it would make any difference. We have session teams so I don’t have to chair all the business, and most of those work well, although there are one or two groups like to know I might be there.

In a world where so many people work behind their prescribed hours it seems difficult to complain, and where as a church there is an expectation that people will give their time and talent for free.

Today I’m tired and have a few things to do, including getting the sermon onto a piece of paper. After a busy week, I’m looking forward to an evening with friends. Tomorrow looks quiet, if I get most of the sermon written today. Although there is a birthday present to buy. And Sunday as always is full on with work and family. Next week looms with no sign of a full day off.

But as I said Lent for me was about focussing on the positive. So we’ve a Centenary to enjoy, a Stewardship season given thought and waiting to be agreed, an Easter kids event to be planned and thoughts being had about how we best serve our parish.