Bed Rest, Winter Weather, Work, and the Virtue of Diligence

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This post will officially be filed under "Derek's Not In Control," which is something that I usually wouldn't admit. There's so much going on in so many different areas of my life; and it seems like it's all piling up like the two inches of snow outside!

Last week, my wife, who's 36-weeks pregnant, was placed by her doctor on bed rest. For those of you who don't know, that means that she can't drive or do many household chores. I have become chauffeur, cook, maid (that one's not getting done very well!), and all-instance-diaper-changer.

Less than two days after my wife was placed on bed rest, our region was hit by two "terrible" winter storms that closed schools and businesses. While everyone and everything else took a snow day, my work requirements moved forward. So, emails, phone calls, and strategic planning were interrupted by Barney and Thomas the Tank Engine videos. Productivity on those days was slow, at best.

So, the family chores have piled up alongside the work and ministry tasks. It is only by the grace of God, which is helping me to cultivate the virtue of diligence, that I'm getting by during this period. This new lesson in virtue from God is reminding me, constantly, that I must worry only about completing the most important task at any given time. Then, I must move on to the next one; and so the effort will continue...maybe for a while.

I take solace in the words of my patron saint. St. Augustine of Hippo said, "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." I know that I must work diligently at the tasks laid before my by my Lord and my family. I also know that the success and fruit of any given task is solely the result of His favor.

Friends, pray for me. St. Augustine pray for me. Let us all pray that the virtue of diligence might abound in our culture.

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