Instant in Season, and Out of Season

by Pam Hillman

Well, here I am again, burning the candle at both ends.

Y'all are getting the rough and ready version of this week's blog post. But I kind of have a feeling that 99% of you will be nodding your heads that you totally get where I'm coming from.

As I type this directly into blogger an hour before it's due, I'm reminded of the time years ago that the Seekers all met at Tina Radcliffe's house. While there, Camy Tang logged in to the Seeker blog, typed her post practically live and added photos right there on the spot. I was amazed and not a little bit in awe! I couldn't imagine having enough confidence in what I had to say to do that.

Yet, here I am, doing it! Granted, it took me TEN years to get to that point.

2 Timothy 4:2 tells preachers to be instant in season and out of season. Growing up, in the church services I attended, that meant that if a preacher attended a church service and was asked unexpectedly to deliver the message, he'd better have one ready. I've never heard a preacher get up without delivering a rousing sermon. I'm not a preacher, but I do need to be instant in season and out of season. But of late, it seems like I've been out of season more than in. Not necessarily here in Seekerville, but in life in general. You know, just having so many irons in the fire that you find it difficult to figure out which one needs your attention next.

So, today I wanted to share with you a bit about the last week of my life. My 3 year-old granddaughter had a tonsillectomy eight days ago. She's doing great, and we're very, very thankful for that. However, it was decided that she shouldn't go to the sitter's this week, so I ended up babysitting her and her 9 month-old  sister five full days instead of three. Of course I love keeping my grands, but extra days of loving on grandbabies puts a damper on other jobs that need to be done, you know?

I had one job... well, three ... that I absolutely had to get done this week. Babysit every day, meet my exercise goals, and write a blog post for Seekerville. I'm closing in on batting 100%.

You know what I discovered?

I'm here to tell you that every blog post doesn't have to have three points, five or even ten. Maybe we don't always have to share some new revelation about the craft of writing, or the latest time-saving technique. Sometimes it's good to just be open and honest and show the ratty bathrobe and unwashed hair. (I'm sure it didn't escape your notice that I didn't ACTUALLY post a photo of such. I DO still have some pride, after all!)

Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we're all busy, we all have crazy lives, we're all scrambling to DO life, which includes this writing gig that we love.

I used to wonder if I was the only person who often felt like a hamster perpetually on a wheel, but the more I open up to others, the more I realize that the majority of my friends are just as busy as I am. Anyone who has it all together and is always as cool as a cucumber, please speak up. We want to schedule you in Seekerville so you can share your secret! :)

As I said, this has been raw, but I hope it speaks to someone going in to the weekend. When it seems like you're being buried alive with tasks whether of your own making, or unexpectedly from your employer, your family, just keep moving forward. Keep doing. Keep crossing things off your list. I chose not to stress today's post, and instead, I want you to know that I'm just like you. I don't always have it all together, but I regroup, ramp up the hamster wheel and have another go at it.

Hey, check out one of the videos I made from my impromptu photo shoot on The Natchez Trace last week. Another instance of being instant out of season as I found myself close to the Natchez Trace, I had books with me, and I decided to take advantage of the situation on the spur of the moment.

And, for the record, I'll be loving on grand babies all day today. But I'll pop in here as well. It's what hamsters do!