When bored...

One of the challenges I faced in returning to the states some 8 years ago, was boredom.  It wasn't a lack of busyness. It was more of a lack of the challenges faced in cross-cultural, cross-denominational, cross-national, cross-linguistic work.  There were other challenges to be sure but they were more, which doctor of the myriad available, which hospital of the assortment, which ketchup of the massive varieties, which car, even which way to go to work with paved roads EVERYWHERE. The challenge of the easy life was having to make so many choices.

This whole issue of boredoms, which I thought I had largely dealt with, was rekindled in retirement three years ago.  No meetings required. No daily commute, times of preparation, counseling, etc.  Lots of time.  And then the move from a busier small city (Sanford, NC) to a rural setting (1 mile from the nearest paved road and almost ten miles to the nearest signal light).

I have managed to stay somewhat busy with the house finishing/ remodeling (not sure what to call this), now preaching and leading a Bible Study weekly.  But this weekend that frustration of boredom hit again like a two by four up against the head.

It's not a lack of busyness that was bothering me but the question of significance.  I got to dreaming of the times of travel to places unknown, sitting with people I had never before met, discussing Kingdom issues where the Kingdom has yet to have a presence in language which was literally foreign to me. Those types of significant challenges.  There are opportunities for ministry here to be sure, but as I contemplate how I might best invest my time, I was bored. And of course I still dream of returning to international work...

So what does one do when bored?

Separate the frozen boards, flip, rotate, and re-stack them and set them up for the solar dryer,

turning this...

...into this

When the weather gets a bit warmer the ends  will be opened up and box fans will be placed to form a wind tunnel of sorts to speed the drying.

So when there is a pause in the interior project work, we wait upon spring for the windows and siding work to begin, and I'm feeling bored what do I do? What might any man rightly do? PLAY WITH WOOD AND DREAM!  

Soli Deo Gloria!