Many years ago I spent hours of my time in my garage (aka the "man cave") doing woodworking.  I built things . . . lots of things.  Perhaps the most difficult and patience trying of these items is fretwork.  I used the time at the scroll saw for prayer and reflection and to teach myself patience.  Initially, I would break five or six blades completing a single picture sized item.  Even though I was a carpenter, I had a tendency to force my work instead of letting the tool do the work.  Eventually, with experience and patience, my works became more integrate and artistic.  I was achieving the level of excellence that I sought after in my woodworking.  Then an interesting thing happened, people started paying me to build these things.  All of a sudden I had orders and deadlines and goals.  The pressure mounted because, with the extra money, I could buy things that would expand my tool collection.  But I noticed something . . . my attitude changed.  I no longer took the time for prayer or meditation in my workshop.  I felt pressure to finish projects.  And ultimately, I no longer enjoyed this hobby.  So now my tools . . . a large, expensive collection . . . sits gathering dust waiting for the occasional use.  Yes, I still pull out the tools and yes, I am still a good carpenter, but I no longer threw myself into my work.

Now, years later, I find myself with another hobby.  Photography has consumed me.  Yes, I've always been a photographer but now I can find myself taking thousands of photos each month.  But now I am cautious.  I remember the letdown as I took on paid work.  I remember the anxiety of meeting the schedule and striving for perfection in a project that I will be selling.  I remember the feeling that it had become work.  So now I will set limitations on my photography projects.  Producing a senior photo was fun and challenging but then again, so is photographing a two year old girl such as this set; the granddaughter of a visiting friend of mine.  (Just s note: the older female in the photo below is my son's girlfriend, not the mother of this child.)  I decided that if I am to continue doing the paid work, then I will also challenge myself with the therapeutic aspects of photography.  I will pull out my old film camera for some "old style" photography.  I will find new and unique photo opportunities.  I will set out to learn more so my mind stays focused on the reason I, or maybe any of us has a hobby.

At first I thought that I was alone in my feelings when my hobby became my work.  Then I looked at my son's life.  He has a strong desire to play video games.  He landed his dream job at a video gaming store.  All of a sudden, his hobby became his job and the job aspect was no longer enjoyable.  But I noticed something different in how he handled it.  He still looked at playing the games as therapeutic and separated himself from his work.  So how many of us get caught up in something we do to add pressure on something that should be enjoyable?  Is it a hobby?  Is it volunteering for a charity or church function?  How about the holidays in general?  Does Christmas and Thanksgiving become such a big production that our goal of perfection makes the event unenjoyable?

So, I seek out God's peace in all that I do.

So, what is the most important parts of our lives?  Our house?  Our new car?  A snowmobile or ATV?  Our clothes?  A priority is something that is very important in our lives.  I know people who will make their jobs, their priority.  For others, the most important aspect is their spouse or their children.  For others, their hobbies and toys take the most time out of their lives.  I read an article awhile back in The Catholic Register that showed that those couples and families that placed God as being the most important in their lives . . . perhaps more like God is placed at the center of their lives . . . these were the happiest and most stable relationships.  The article was explaining the purpose of a "Marriage Encounter" where couples learn how to improve their marriage relationship, grow closer to each other, and improve commitment to each other.  The basis for a marriage encounter is for communication between each other and God to form the strength of the bond.

Why is this so important?  What could God possibly bring into a relationship?  Sure, these are clear, if not stupid questions because the answer is so obvious.  God create us in His own image.  This isn't to say that we look like God (though Jesus is fully human while being fully God).  But we resemble God in our feelings for each other and our need to communicate and interact with one another.  God create people so He could interact with us, and we with Him.  The entire Bible is about our relationship with God and each other.  God intended to be the center of our lives and with it, we would grow and enjoy His presence in our hearts and souls.  So, because of this design, if we as committed couples in the sanctity of marriage place God at the center . . . or at the heart of our relationship, then we are fully blessed by His glory.

This isn't to say that we will not have our high and low points, our challenges.  A God centered relationship will grow in strength and wisdom through His Holy Spirit.  Through Him, we will persevere.  Through Him, we will grow.  Through Him, our love will shine.

What an awesome God we have!!!  Blessings.