End of the year: Stop, smell the flowers, & give thanks
Ahh. I just finished rocking out with our assigned seminarian, Paul Cygan. I've enjoyed our jam sessions over the 10 months he's been with us. Paul knows how to jam on that guitar and I love backing him up on the box drum. Paul is a man of many talents and he will make a good priest in a couple years.
We stopped outside during this beautiful mid-May day to play. Sun is shinning and the trees are budding. We started on the patio outside the cafe and ended up making our way over to the school. The windows popped open and kids gave us thumbs up as we made some tunes happen. As class let out, we received some tips in the form of a penny with football cards and a solid two quarters. It was a good time.
I write about this because a lot of things are wrapping up. Paul is leaving soon. Classes are finishing up around town. High school and middle school programs are wrapped up and we are gearing up for summer, which means the heaviest part of my year is done. By the time I get to this point, I'm pretty burned out. The end of the year is exhausting and if you're like me, you look forward to taking a breather.
Your educational year is just about over. Unwind. Pat yourself on the back. Celebrate a job well done, or for you C's out there, a job done. C's and D's get degrees right?
You know it isn't over yet though. Life keeps going but it is important to take a breath and just stop and smell the flowers. As I write this I'm taking a little time to thank Jesus for the endurance and opportunity to get to the end of one race and line up for the start of the next one. Today, I find my spiritual gatorade is the Psalms.
So when you're finished with the papers and exams, take some time to smell the roses. Take some time to thank God for giving you what it takes to get here. Maybe even crack open the Psalms and slurp down a sweet tea.
"Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name;
make known among the peoples his deeds!
Sing praise, play music;
proclaim all his wondrous deeds!
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!
Rely on the mighty Lord;
constantly seek his face.
Recall the wondrous deeds he has done,
his signs and his words of judgement."
--- Psalm105: 1-5
Adam is the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Greg's Parish. He's getting married this summer to his beautiful fiancee, Ani. Adam loves burritos, kayaking, and wants a dog (but needs to convince his beautiful bride to get one). Contact Adam anytime at Ajarosz@stgregs.org, he's always up for lunch. Or food any other time...
