Almost there

This morning I have the privilege again to write from a special place on the planet, a small rural village on the west coast of mainland Greece. We're five days into an epic, ten-day family holiday. Good friends of ours have spoiled us by letting us use their family beach house here in Spiatza. In our short time here, we have discovered (and remembered) that Greece is a special place - and not just because of the whole toilet paper scenario!

Greece is special because, as most people know, it is steeped in history. Walking around Athens and seeing the few-thousand-year-old ruins were incredible. Hearing and reading about them just don't compare to actually seeing them. For me though, it feels like I have an even deeper affection for these sites, as so much of what my life and our lives are dedicated to, had significant moments here - walking past Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul first preached in Greece, and driving past Corinth for instance.

Greece is special because the Greeks are great hosts. From our AirBnB, to the restaurants, to our arrival at the beach here, we have been served so well. We arrived in Spiatza to a fridge full of food, a cooked dinner and even dessert! Greece is special, because the beach is beautiful and there is so much of it that none of it seems crowded. And perhaps most importantly, Greece is special because the coffee is excellent everywhere.

Our trip is part of the third and final focus of my sabbatical, which is family. Our kids are obviously on holiday at the moment and it's been great to spend real unhindered, quality time with them. I have realised again just how vulnerable these little dudes are, and how formative our attitudes and affections as adults are in their lives. May we raise kids that are secure because of our love for them.

Let me sign off by saying that I am now almost done with my sabbatical - I have about two and a half weeks to go - and I find myself excited about the prospect. It's been such a great journey with many good moments. I feel the time has been spent well. The thought that I'm meditating on at the moment is that I am not returning to a job, but rather an assignment. While the two might look very similar on the surface, I feel the motivation for and satisfaction of the one is very different to the other. An assignment is mostly simple, not easy, but simple. Clear, concise and compelling (like a good sermon). A job can become everyday, going through the motions, mundane.

I am convinced that all of us can see what we do as an assignment rather than a job and I am convinced that the subtle change in perspective will help us hugely.

Grace to you!