It sounds strange; a chaplain, an ordained minister, writing a blog about self-care. Many in professional ministry put so much energy into caring for others that they (we!)neglect to take care of them (our)selves. Our nursing colleagues are prone to the same self-neglect. We carry beepers. We respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitation codes, we are present at deaths, we preside at funerals, and we stress-debrief staff.
In order to take care others, chaplains and other ministers need to take care of themselves, and not feel guilty of doing so. Who can be our model? Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus did not succumb to the tyranny of the urgent. When Lazarus became deathly ill he took four days to return to Bethany. Let the pastor or chaplain get away with that one. Jesus also got away from the crowds and disciples to pray and spend time with the Father. He even fell asleep in a fishing boat as it was tossed about by a violent wind storm (Lord, don't you care?). We are not Jesus. As mortal human beings with flawed relationships with God and eachother it is so important we take care of ourselves.
Taking care means exercising spiritual disciplines, enjoying hobbies (Microsoft Flight Simulator), participating in sports (for me it's golf and watching baseball), etc. and not feeling guilty about setting aside the beeper.
From a hospital chaplain, moving beyond traditional Reformed evangelicalism.
