The quote above is from a series of magnificent lectures by Fr. Thomas Hopko on teaching doctrine. Thanks to very gracious grandparents, my kids have been out of town a lot this summer. And I've been at home alone quite a bit. I miss those crazy boys so much, and I'm about ready for the separation to end, but the new and shocking experience of silence has been quite good for me. I've made lots of progress on some pretty exciting projects including translation work, my dissertation and another really awesome organization that is almost ready to really go public. I've significantly increased my exercise regimen, and that feels great. We've got vegetables rolling in from the garden and flowers blooming everywhere. My husband and I have had quite a few quiet nights together to take walks, work in the garden, or just watch a movie.
But the best thing about this summer has been some down time to read a bit, reflect a bit, relax my tense shoulders and process some things about the direction of my life, and especially the direction of the life of our family as a spiritual unit.
My new running routine has given me some time to listen to podcasts from Fr. Thomas Hopko, thanks to my husband's MP3 player and his instructions and help with the buttons. (Yes, I'm behind the times. Not only do I not own an Ipod, I also don't even know how to use one.) I hope to share a few gems from Fr. Thomas' thoughts on teaching and living theology soon.
And I've also been doing some other reading about Orthodox parenting. Some of those jewels have been slowly seeping into my heart as I experience a quiet home and pray to rejuvenate for the coming year. I'll share some of those priceless thoughts here soon, too. So keep an eye out for some beautiful thoughts from the deep well from which I've been drinking this summer. I'll slowly share them here soon. But in the meantime, I'm praying to live these things, and not just to type them!
"You can't be in it to discuss it. You've gotta be in it to do it." - Fr. Thomas Hopko
1 comment:
I love this, thank you! I also don't have a MP3 player (other than in my car) but want one for my birhtday for just this reason.
My youngest is at Camp Granny too. I enjoy that couple time.
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