My blogging has shifted. Fewer and farther between are the posts about theology, ecclesiology, pastoral care, pastoral identity, Lutheran identity, and liturgy. Even politics and baseball have made fewer appearances here. Thinking about such topics – let alone blogging – feels like such a luxury these days.
Back in April ago our baby got wickedly sick (about which I blogged here), and though she is much better, her daily sleep and eating cycles continue to be out of whack – hence my wife and I continue to be out of whack, as well. Add to that the various reports and emotions that accompanied the final weeks of my hospital chaplaincy, a computer that was acting up for a bit, and the rapidly-approaching reality of our move to Virginia, and I’ve had little time or interest to blog about much more than my family and the transitions that await us. And perhaps this makes sense – I’ve got a lot on my plate.
But if I recall my theology – you know, the Two Kingdoms, God-is-in-the-changing-of-the-diapers kind of theology – then, perhaps, I have nothing to apologize about. God is truly in, with and under the work I’m doing and the life I’m leading.
It is so darn easy to preach and teach such theologies while working full-time in the church, constantly surrounded by the trappings of church and theology. But now that I am temporarily away from any kind of churchly or pastoral role and am consumed with such "ordinary" things as finding a new home, taking care of children, and shopping for groceries, the theological reflection is less obvious – and is something for which I have much less time. Thinking holy thoughts and doing holy things used to be part of my work, and later this fall it will be again. But now that theological thinking and doing is not part of my full-time vocation, it comes less quickly and seems, frankly, less important. Sure, I can read the latest issue of The Christian Century, but Dr. Seuss, Your Child’s Health, and a trip to the park seem much more important.
So as I have time between diaper changes, trips to the park, and rounds of "If you’re happy and you know it," I’ll blog. And I may even mention God in such posts. But the Good News is that whether I name God’s name or not, God is there in the ordinary stuff of life, making it extraordinary.
Amen.
The Lutheran Zephyr 
I read your first line before getting distracted by one of my more ordinary things (actually not so ordinary because I’m flushing out the water heaters and giving thanks for having water again).
Meanwhile, I was thinking about how we do live on the plain and in the valley and if we don’t know God there, then will we recognize Him on the mountain.?
You can “teach” theology to your little ones as you go about your daily tasks, recognizing God’s presence in each thing. You can “learn lessons” about daily life’s theology that will help you relate to future parishioners.
And you may learn many things about how and why people think they are too busy for church and why their spiritual life gets neglected in the bustle of our lives.
God Bless this time!
So have you guys found a new abode? The wife and I actually found ourselves online Saturday looking at houses where I have interviewed. I think we may go down and look at some neighborhoods in person prior to the interview on Thursday.
And I am with PS and you on this: God is in fact in the changing of diapers, and washing of laundry, and searching for homes. Some days, that is the only way I can make sense of any of this stuff.
Welcome to my world! I bet this experience and these feelings will serve you well in ministry – because for those of us whose vocation is not clergy- or ministry-related, “thinking holy thoughts” doesn’t always happen very often. I bet you will be able to inspire your future parishioners to find God in the stuff of daily life now that you are feeling what a constant struggle it is to do so.
Hope the housing search and all else is going well, and that C is feeling better. Peace.
Welcome to the real world. It’s much harder to do theology here, in my experience. But it’s much more rewarding to do theology here.