Finding a Rhythm

I find that my new life as a seminarian (who is also a wife and mother of 3) closely parallels my attempts to get back into shape.  I've been running at least 3 times a week with some friends, and I'm trying to get to the pool to swim at least once a week.  Rhythm is so important with running and swimming.  I have to find my pace again with both disciplines, and hold that steady rhythm to get me to the end of my workout.  I am pushing myself to go beyond what my body says are my limits so I can increase my lung capacity and regain strength in my legs and arms.  Some days are better than others, but it is always hard.  I look forward to the day that the workout is manageable again.  Of course, that is the day that I know it is time to raise the bar.  At that point, I'll need to find a new rhythm with the increased pace or mileage.  It is much easier to get through each workout with my friends.  My friends Candice and Kelsey meet me at 5:45 in the morning, and we trod forth together in the dawn's breaking light.  Even in the pool, when I know I have a friend in the next lane it is easier to push a little harder. 

I haven't found my rhythm as a seminarian yet, either.  I get to my study carrel around 7:45 every morning and study/read and go to class until 5 or 6 every weekday. When I get home, I help the girls with 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade homework, eat dinner, and get them all to bed.  If I have any energy left, I study for a while before I collapse into bed.  Weekends so far have also been filled with reading and studying, and last weekend I spent in a two-day anti-racism workshop.  This weekend I have to study for and complete a 4 hour take-home exam.  Needless to say, my family is not getting much time with me.  David has been so very supportive, and is picking up our girls every day he is in town.  He has taken the lion's share of parenting and household chores.  This makes managing his job very difficult.  We are all looking forward to the day I find a rhythm as a student again (after nearly two decades), and we find our rhythm as a family with me as a student.  Of course, we know the bar will move and we'll have to adjust our rhythm again, but are prayerful that we will be able to hold onto more family time than we have now.  We are joined in this struggle by so many friends here going through similar challenges, family and friends at home who are praying for us, and the constant presence of the Holy Spirit.  

We rest in the knowledge that God called us here, and we are aware of his loving presence in our everyday lives.  We are immensely grateful for all the support from home, and for the new family the Lord is building for us here in Sewanee.  I love my classes, and am starting to see the extend of things I don't know.  :)  We are here to be formed as a clergy family, and as hard as it is to imagine that in less than 3 years we'll be living that life, every day here is a day filled with God's grace and wisdom to get us there.  I'll keep running and swimming (and biking to class!), and we'll keep working as a family to find our rhythm.  With God's grace, we will.