Ahem.  Ahem.  Is this mic on?

Madame Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, First Lady of the United States, and you blog readers:

I’ve come here today not only to address the distinguished men and women in this great chamber, but to speak frankly and directly to the men and women who sent me to this place.  And hear this: the state of the union is….

struggling.

I’ve been very busy as of late.  Be it personally or professionally, things seem to be popping up all over the place.  It has all caught me by surprise.

You see, I’m usually not a busy person.

Typically, if I have not had a shower on Saturday before noon, then it’s a good weekend.  I’m not lazy by any means, but I do enjoy peace, quiet and no agenda.  Well, that’s all changed.  There are some things happening that I’m pretty excited about.  I’m currently brainstorming with some folks (ODW & others) about using music to raise awareness/support for human trafficking, as well as extreme poverty.

There are some other potential ministry opportunities in the works, which have the potential of making a big difference.  On the other hand, there are other life/work stressors that are at a near-record high rate.  The combination of the two are teaming up to try their best to kill me.  Currently, I like their chances.

I think the worst part about being so busy is that I find little time to notice anything or anyone around me.  My wonderful wife is usually a casualty of this problem.  I have two standing resolutions every year:  (1) to try to better love my wife as Christ loves the Church and (2) what is(perhaps) our best resolution.  Stress and busyness cause me to miserably fail at both of these.  Struggling to find balance is beginning to take its toll.  I’m usually a very organized person, but lately I’ve felt things falling to the wayside.

That’s all for today.  A lot of irons in the fire.  Praying for clarity…that God would show me what’s important and what’s not.

How about you?  What’s your state of the union?  How can I pray for you?

Oh, and p.s.- the economy’s pretty bad, too.

image:  Brooks Kraft / Corbis for Time