being jake wood

I’m convinced that the greeter job at Wal-Mart is the lowest rung on the ladder.  Every time I walk into one I’m greeted by a half enthused teenager or a elderly person.  Is this the punishment for every Wal-Mart worker?  If you are late or insubordinate do they slap you with the greeter job?  I don’t know, maybe I’m crazy but it just seems like that person isn’t really a greeter but a welcoming committee for prison… just a thought.

How often do I retreat?  How often SHOULD we retreat?  How often does God WANT me to retreat?  And how often does God REQUIRE me to retreat?  There’s no question in my mind that God has built into our souls the need to retreat.  On the the Seventh day God rested and  requires us to have a sabbath every week.  But when I grew up that meant simply “going” to church.  I then later found out that the original sabbath day is Saturday and that really messed me up.  In ministry and life in general there is a pace that we sometimes set that is hard to break from.  We feel guilty for not being busy all the time.  Maybe one of the greatest tricks the enemy pulls on us is simply believing that we should never make a habit of retreating.  Me and my wife, several years ago made a commitment that we would fiercely protect our sabbath and retreat often.  On our day off we spend as much time with each other and the kids as possible.  This doesn’t always work out the way we planned, but our hearts are in the right place.  But sometimes it’s so easy to simply forget, or get caught up in “life” that we forget to break away and slow down.  Three things I’m going to commit to accomplishing this year and next.

1.  Have a personal overnight retreat.  A whole day and night with no agendas or meetings.  Just me and God.  During these times God usually shares with me direction for the next season.  But as busy as I get, I need this time away.

2. To break away everyday.  I like to do my devotional time with God in the morning.  It’s just the time that works for me the best.  Some reading and praying.  I want my kids to see that my life matches up with my talk.

3. Retreat with my wife more.  I want to commit to having more time with my wife this year.  Plan more vacation or away time with my wife and family.

How do you retreat?  I know it’s such a broad question, but how do you get away personally?  Spiritually?  Emotionally?  How often do you retreat?  What could you commit to changing this year to balance your life better?

Blog: So you’re back.

Me: Yeah, about that… I know it’s been awhile, but it’s been kinda crazy busy.

Blog: So what, you just drop off the face of the earth?

Me: No… like I said-

Blog: Was it something I said?

Me: What- no!  Like I said… the summer was busy and exciting and the last thing on my mind was you.  No offense.

Blog: None taken.

Blog: Jerk.

Me: See, I knew this would happen.  I’d eventually come back and it would be all weird now.  I should have never said anything and avoided this whole awkwardness.

Blog: No, no… I’m sorry.  It’s just, I haven’t seen you in forever and all of a sudden your up in here all typing away… it’s just thrown me off a little.  I’m sorry I called you a jerk.

Me: No, I know… it’s my fault I shouldn’t have taken so long to come back.  It was just one of those things… a day turns into a week and a week into a month and… well, you know.  If it makes you feel any better, I sure did miss you!  You look good!

Blog: Well, I have lost some weight… and – you know it’s good to have you back!

Me: Yeah, it’s good to be back!

Blog: So are you gonna start getting back into this?

Me:  Well, I’m gonna try..

Blog: Put some funny stories up….?

Me: Yeah, sure…

Blog: Some ministry and family updates…?

Me:  Definitely!

Blog: Some great stories about your Denver Broncos…?

Me: Would you expect anything less?

Blog: How about some of this crazy “I’m having a conversation with my blog stuff”… any more of that?

Me: Silence

Blog: I’m sure that’ll bring em back in wanting to read… “Hey look at  me, I’m Jake and I like talking to myself…”

Me: Jerk.