busy but not depleted

By Meghan Hatcher

I wrote last month about it being time to get moving and I’m happy to report four weeks later that I have. Over the holiday, I experienced three blissful weeks of time away from my job and seminary classes. I thought I would feel restless; thought perhaps that much time without an overwhelming list of items on my to-do list might leave me feeling useless or like I wasn’t “redeeming the time.” (Any other type 8s know what I’m getting at?) But the reality was I had NO idea how much I needed that time or how burned out I was feeling. Instead of feeling restless, I felt at peace and abundantly grateful for time to unplug. I was able to create space to get a few things done that I simply didn’t have the energy to accomplish in the hubbub of a busy semester and work demands.

One of those projects was the creation of a website for The Clay Jar Project, the storytelling ministry I launched in fall 2017. The process of putting proverbial pen to paper to document the mission of this unique ministry, the why and the how, and the impacts was cathartic. It’s incredible to see how God continues to knit together a slew of ideas into something cohesive that actually is a THING. It was fun to put together the puzzle pieces of this ministry — from a section on “Why the name?” to documentation of impacts from past participants — and to see that what’s going on here isn’t accidental. The story of what this ministry is becoming gives me great hope.

I’ve also had multiple opportunities recently to share this story with others and their response, too, gives me hope and affirmation that “I’m on the right track,” as one person in Washington recently told me by phone. I’m thrilled to see where this ministry goes in the future as the end of seminary comes into sharper focus and I consider what's next. The to-do list for The Clay Jar Project continues but what I know in my bones is that this work, this unique form of engagement, brings me abundant life. It does not deplete my energy but fills me in a way other things haven’t and that indeed assures me that I’m on the right track. Thanks be to God. ​