Neglecting the spirit ...

Working days throws me off.

Don't get me wrong: I long for the sense of having a "real job" that comes with working days. It allows me to spend time with my wife, and I wish I could do more of that. Just like I wish I could have done more of that with my children. The demise of afternoon newspapers in the late 20th century has resulted in the curse of the call of journalism for families.

But working nights at the newspaper and doing pastoral work in the morning has brought a certain routine ... a routine that sometimes includes my attempts at morning quiet time and prayer. So it was that this morning I missed it ... and my spirit never did get settled.

I think that's why I came unglued over a simple issue at work that should have been easily resolved. No, make that two simple issues ... except, the second time I had sense enough to leave the meeting before I let the ogre surface. (Just call me Shrek 3.) The first time I failed to do so and had a meltdown in front of a coworker. I apologized, and we ended the meeting with a prayer. I thank God for Christian coworkers with whom I can be honest and real.

I have to be at work at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, which means I will really need to rise early if I want to settle my spirit and spend time with God before heading to the office.

With that in mind, I think I will call it a night.

Grace and peace ...