All good things must come to an end; or do they

Well, I must admit this is a moment I have not thought about for quite some time.  In a few hours I will relinquish the endless football games on the tube and retire for a good night sleep before the day dawns where I return to work.  Man I'm not ready to go back; it has been a remarkably wonderful vacation.  From getting to see my son and daughter-in-law this year for Christmas, to having my daughter home with us for over two weeks now, to celebrating Christmas with great joy, and celebrating Wendy's birthday too, to the trip to New Orleans to tour the D Day Museum, to a great party for New Years Eve, to visiting with many current and old friends; this has been a great vacation; a nice respite from work.

How should I feel tonight about a return to work?  Events of the past few months have not been good at the old place of employment and frustration has been mounting for some time.  I don't always respond well to unreasonable change and certainly not to medevial pressure tactics.  However, I still love what I do.  Through my experience and dedication to my clients, I serve a strong and growing business community on the Northshore of New Orleans.  At the end of the day, to be able to serve a clients need or help them overcome an obstacle is what it's all about.  In prayerful reflection this past week I am reminded that it is indeed this work, this job, that allows me to take almost two weeks off, recharge and relax and enjoy my family and friends over these holidays.  It is also this job that allows us to do all the things my family does all throughout the year, from the very basics in life to vacation and fully celebrating these special times.

In prayer I too reflect on how Scripture tells us that the Lord prospers the work of our hands.  In reality, our work is holy.  The toils and struggles of a typical work day must be offered to Jesus along with our everyday hopes and joys, sadness and pain. 

I will also take lots of great memories of these past 11 or 12 days to reflect on as I restart the old work engine.  And I will also look forward with great joy to the many exciting things coming up.  Soon we will be ready for an exciting weekend of both Saints and LSU football; both will huge rewards awaiting the victors.  I'm looking forward to a return to life with my diaconate family and my ministries at Rayburn and Most Holy Trinity.  About this time a year ago, I was transitioning to my new parish; so this first week of the New Year is indeed my one year anniversary at MHT.  I will also remember that this whole week is also Christmas season.  As mentioned in an earlier post we do have the wonderful feasts and celebrations of Christmas until next Monday and including the Epiphany on Sunday.

So all good things must come to an end; or in reality, may just be beginning all over again!

For all of you returning to work and school, embrace it and enjoy.