Despite the Traffic . . . .

You can tell it is high season here on Sanibel.  Traffic is a bear!  There is only one way off the island (by truck, car or bike, that is) and so the main road is often bumper-to-bumper.  From about 3:15 PM to 6:15 PM, it is stop and go, and the two miles from my office to the exit point on the island can take almost an hour!

There is another sign of high season for me as well.  My desk--indeed my office--is a disaster area!  Piles of books and papers and CDs and other things, are just thrown on the floor or on top of my desk when I am done with a meeting or teaching a class or leading worship until I have time to excavate.  Which often doesn't happen for days at a time!

Frankly, I have a serious love-hate relationship with high season.  I love the fact that most all of my p[parishioners are here.  I love the full sanctuary on Sunday, and the fact that my classes are well attended.  I love the energy that oozes from every corner.  But I do hate the traffic, and find it annoying to have to plan around it!

But such is the life of anyone who lives or works in a seasonal location.  When we are busy, we are very, very busy, and when we are not . . . well, you know how that goes.

All that said, however, I wouldn't want to be anyplace else!  I am grateful that as I round out my fortieth year of ordained minsitry, and my forty-third year of working in a parish, I find I really have little to complain about!  Life is good, here on Sanibel.  And while it is not paradise (contrary to all the signs in gift shops here on the island) it is a very special place to be a pastor.  Thanks be to God!