SWB: In and out of focus

What has been in and out of focus?

Dizzy,
I'm so Dizzy, my head is spinning
Like a whirlpool, it never ends...

These lyrics to the song "Dizzy" by Vic Reeves is what I've been feeling for the last week. About three weeks ago, I had my eyes checked and found out that I needed to graduate up to some new specs. Apparently, my up-close vision was now in need of some assistance as I'd been experiencing some eye strain. After a few days of seeing in a relaxed and clear way, I was more efficient in taking care of business that required my peepers to work well. Vocationally, the pace of spring, almost Easter but still lent, has been especially busy for me as a church youth and family lay-minister. On top of the pace, my church is in the interim process of calling a Senior Pastor. While the extra duties are present and continue to shift and move, there have been moments of great focus and excitement.

In April, I will hopefully (if I make it off the waiting list - I'm the only one on the list.) be starting a Masters Certificate Program with Princeton Theological Seminary in NJ. The program "fits" me in many ways - it is interactive with other people, it is a deeper level of theological study that I've been craving, it is affordable and my employer is supportive of the process, and it offers a mentoring aspect - on top of the fact that it is a distance program that will only require 12 days away from the home front in the 2-3 years it will take to complete.

My husband Ian and I on my graduation day on June 7, 2008.

If you know me, you understand that I've been searching for the next educational step for over a year now. After completing my Bachelors in the summer of 2008, I had thought the next step would be a MDIV program, but due to a change in circumstances it had to wait. So here it is the spring of 2010, and it looks this opportunity will be that next step I've been waiting for. If I get off that waiting list - oh PLEASE!

In some ways, the current off-focus feeling I've been experiencing I think could be resolved by the support, education and spiritual development this program offers. I don't want to place all my eggs in one basket, but I think PTS is that basket I've been looking for. As this one area of my life feels more in focus, I hope focus will begin to overflow to other areas as well.

If God provides this question be answered with the PTS program, I think the next out-of-focus area could be next in getting some attention - kind of like the help I've received from my new specs. Maybe PTS is just the focus tool I need?

If you don't mind, please say a prayer that I can be added to the enrollment list by Wednesday. Thanks. :)
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So how has your week been? How have you dealt with the in and out of focus parts of life? How is God working in you in the midst of the in and out of focus things? As always, Sleeping with Bread is a safe place to share our ups and downs, our needs and hopes. Will you share your bread this week? I won't even mind if its a little blurry.

Peace,
Lamont

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