T H E
P A C E
by Elizabeth Pedersen (elizabethp@lordoflife.org)
Recently I had a chance to lead one of our 9th grade confirmation ministry small groups. That night, one of the questions posed around the topic of identity was about the kind of person the students hope to be 20 years from now. When I wrote the question, I had in mind a discussion about integrity and character—I thought it would lead to thinking about how we relate to others and engage our faith as a part of how we understand who we are. And so when a majority of the answers to the question was “successful,” it gave me pause. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
The Pedersen Family— John, Emelia (3½), Elizabeth
THE PACE OF LIFE.....................................................2-3 BIBLE 101: RHYTHM FOR A REASON.......................4-5 community life / DAILY DEVOTIONS.................. 6-7 sent to serve .......................................................8-9 LILLY GRANT FOR THRIVING CONGREGATIONS....... 10 COntact Us ..................................................................11
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What even is success? It’s such a relative term. On a larger scale, I think most of us can agree that in our country, success = money. But on a smaller, real-life scale, success can mean so many different things. And it can change. Pre-pandemic, my idea of a successful day or week meant packing the schedule and to-do list and plowing through it all like a nondestructive beast. Now? This pace is no longer possible. Maybe it’s the late-pandemic brain fog, or maybe I’m just out of practice, but the fact that last weekend I took on a major yard project, swim lessons, book club, and a night of emotional support for a friend and ended up crying in our team meeting the following Monday from being overwhelmed tells me it’s time to reevaluate.
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