Striking a balance

One thing I've wondered a bunch about while here in Senegal is how much I am expected to work. And what constitutes 'work'.

While I am 'only an intern', there is an ever present feeling in me that tells me I should be working all of the time except evenings and Sundays.

Meaning, I've wondered a bunch about my Saturdays.

I'm realizing that to be effective, I need to have time to self-prepare. But, with Monday through Friday often lost in transition to and from and within the villages, that only gives me Saturday to prepare. And while God worked 6 days a week, and while I've worked 6 days a week many times before, I wonder whether that's healthy.

Because I'm still figuring out how to do what I want to do (although I've learned lots and things get clearer by the week), this push is sometimes necessary. Only, it's at times a bit disruptive.

I fell ill this weekend. Something minor. But something all the same. It's still not gone, and I'm supposed to go to a village this week. Sometime today. But, for the sake of my health and for the sake of my sanity, I am going to try to use the majority of today preparing for tonight, T, W, TH days and FR morning. And I might make a point of keeping it that way.

I only wonder whether this is fair. I wonder how many World Vision staff put in 8 day weeks. Or maybe just 6. Occassionally 7 maybe. But how many are able to put in only 5?

That Monday be the day of prep for the rest of the week, and that Friday be a transition day and report writing/thoughts gathering day. Which gives me Saturday to think casually about my work, and Sunday to rest entirely. Therein I believe I will have struck my balance. Still working Saturday, because it will be a time of reflection and brainstorming. But that's it. And then I can leave myself to rest, truly rest, on the Sabbath. (I'm reading a book on it; it's been a real blessing and is reminding me of my need to rest).

I hope you all rest well this week. If only during the evenings until Saturday or Sunday. But at the very minimum, take your Sunday as a day to do nothing that you have to do, and anything that you want to do. In the words of Mark Buchanan, "Let go of anything that is necessary and embrace anything that gives you life"

Find your rest this week.