What I do to unwind…

Well I’ve just been reading an interesting article here about Pastors and stress, burnout and keeping fresh in frontline ministry. For me Friday is my “day off”. I’ve usually basically finished the bulk of my work before Sunday and I’m ready for a break before launching into the weekend. I love what I do and so I have a tendency not to stop working, in fact I have to work at having a rest. One of the things that has worked well for Nerida and I is having Thursday night as our “family night” a night when we all stay home and focus on encouraging the members within our Home Church. God’s word points out that leaders in the church must be dedicated and devoted to pastoring their family first and foremost (1 Timothy 3:4-5). And this truth coupled with my personality type means it is something I constantly have to watch and nurture.
Things I do to unwind…
1) Have a Gloria Jeans Coffee with my wife.
2) Watch LOST.
3) Play with the boys.
4) Sit and watch the cricket or footie.
5) Read a book.
6) Ride a horse/go hunting (not so often).
At the end of the day I find that it’s not so much what I do, but that I stop doing work that counts. I get refreshed and my tanks are refueled for the next week!
Here are some other ‘destress’ ideas… I haven’t been game to try them yet!
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point A Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It "In."

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

6. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy."

7. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

8. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.