Lent. Day Five.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

-Ecclesiastes 3

Today was long. These pictures are not from today..but from over the years of ministry. I felt like I was on a roller coaster today. One minute I was hearing stories about 1st Graders embracing the Holy Spirit teaching so much they were teaching younger siblings. The next I was looking over a budget that is short money but not time. The next moment I was laughing and joking with my Confirmation group. The next getting angry at the same group for joking about rape. Which is not funny. The next time I turned, Mass was in full swing being helped by all my teens without being asked. Next a parent, telling me that she cried with her son when he returned from the retreat...because it was an incredible experience, he learned, grew and found God. And finally, trying to talk to parents, talk them in to, mission trips.

Did I mention it was an exhausting day?!

I feel like Ministry always comes in waves and the only way to describe is to say, there is a season for everything AND if it doesn't work now, perhaps it's just not the right season.

Despite all of this, despite my having to crack down, and hold my kids responsible, I am thankful for them. Every week, they warm my heart, exceed my expectations, remind me that they need me, and that they crave, want and need Christ.