I need a day off

You know we can think how important we are and just how much the world needs us but then we get a timely reality check that puts us in our rightful place.

I had one of those reality checks yesterday.  Here I am going to UNHCR meetings, helping to organise better ways of helping urban refugees, being a tutor for three young Pakistanis doing their ACU course and then, in the midst of all this important activity, a Pakistani woman comes unannounced to my office.  Really, they can't be expected to make appointments but nevertheless I am just too busy for this intrusion which I so readily identify as yet another request for financial assistance. 

So what do I do?  I jump straight in so as to save time and start to explain to her about available help and what is possible.  I must say I did so politely.  But then she stopped me and said - Father, I don't want money.  My husband is in prison.  Then she just cried. 

My first thought was - I just stuffed this one.  This was my reality check.  I might be Fr John from whom ones seek for assistance or whom colleagues in refugee work call on, but you know what?  I must never lose sight of what really matters in the midst of  however much activity and seemingly important tasks I am involved in. 

The other message is that I need a day off for my good and the good of those I help and work with.  So that is what I am about to do.  Take a day off.  Wish me well in this most important task.