How Could This Wrestling Husband/Father Do This?

So, here is a rant from me. My wife and I went to Northfield MN this past weekend for her sister's wedding. My job of course, was to wrangle the boy and keep him occupied while my wife tended to the wedding, like actually being in it. But, it's not what happened there that has me hot under the collar. It's the trip to and from. Can someone please explain to me, when they changed the legal posted speed limit from 65 to 95? Did I miss the announcement, the memo, the email? Was I sleeping? I guess I must have missed it.

Here is what I do not understand. I tend to drive a bit on the safe side. I am not reckless behind the wheel. There is good reason for that I assure you. I have a family now. If it were just me, I would go balls to the wall, but alas I feel that I should not, for the sake of my wife and child. AND, let's just say that I have had my fair share of the state's finest of troopers pull me over for my heavy foot. I have had to pay an exorbitant fee in Wisconsin for doing 41 in a 25. The price of the ticket you ask? $289! YES, you read that right. So, for the peace in my marriage, and the wonderful low cost of vehicle insurance, I try and be careful when I am behind the wheel. I tend to be an impatient driver too. But, I try.

Now, this last time on the fine Interstate highway system, I noticed that I was actually being passed alot. Not because I was the geezer going 45, but that I was not going with my afterburner at full blast like the said vehicles passing me were. The culprits with the most speed? Idiots from Illinois! They tend to be rude, and drive as if their time is way more important than mine. And when they pass you, they tend to give you the evil eye, as if I just killed their favorite pet. I do not understand that so many drivers from Illinois can be that damn impatient, that they feel they have to pass people actually pushing the legal limit. BUT, I will also say this. People in Minnesota are not all that better. In a 65 zone, I was going 72. Not fast, but not excessively slow either. Not really a speed that would merit a trooper actually pulling me over (going ten over in North Dakota will get you pulled over on I-29 going south two miles north of Fargo). But, I was being passed with fury; not by just a lone car, but by lines of them.

Did I get old real quick? Granted I was driving a 2002 VW Jetta. Not all that sick looking, no guts under the hood, and uncomfortable as hell. But, besides that, the gas mileage is good. I drive a family car...well, alright it's my wife's, but I drove it this last time for our "trip." So, I can see where I might look harmless...there is not dare from me to race anyone in that German mix of sass and blitzkrieg! It is not tough at all. I know that. But give me a break. Stop passing people in the relentless pursuit to prove to the world that your time in way more important than anyone else's. Because you know, your time is not worth dying over, or putting my or my family's lives in danger because you are travelling at mach speed, and then ripping over the right almost cutting me off. I guess Karma is a bitch. Because one day, you will be nailed, maybe excessively for the speed you are going. You can be given a ticket, or lots of them. You can huff and puff and scream it's not fair. But, for those of us who pass you as you are pulled over to the side of the road with the lights flashing in your rear view mirror, you can expect to see me smile glancing your way as I pass your sorry ass...esp.., you dorks from Illinois! Idiots! I think I am going to change careers and become a Wisconsin State Highway Patrol Officer. At least then, I can have my revenge! Muwahahahah! Sorry, I need to call my therapist. More later...

Political bumper sticker of the day comes off the back bumper of a rusted, Ford travelling east on Hwy 14 towards the Taco Bell:

BULLSHIT

I forgot to tell you all. Check out my newly constructed MySpace Page at:

www.myspace.com/pastorguru

I love what I do, and I do what I love! Now, there is some danger in saying that. One thing I have realized since becoming a pastor, is that I can "meeting" myself to death if I wanted to. It wasn't so much a problem when I first started. It was just my wife and me. Now, I have a little boy in my life to also spend time with. I find that the demands of ministry can be incredibly blinding, blurring, and draining. Too many meetings I find, make my energy levels start to drain. I feel tired the day after, not really paying attention to the details that need to get done. So, lately I have been feeling the pressure. The throttle is way open at church...we are moving so fast, getting many things going, and moving. Lots of ideas and visioning is happening. But, the movement is very hurried. By the time I come home, I am wiped out. Then, I see my wife and son, both in bed. If I do see them before their bedtime, my wife is tired from taking care of our son, and he is, well, he's 2 1/2! His hormonal energy is out of control. He has meltdowns sporadically and ferociously! He is loving when he wants to be. He basically uses our living room as a dumping ground for all things he drags from his bedroom! My son is basically a tame tornado!

I love my family. I really do. But the demands of ministry right now, is something I have never really ever experienced! The former job (I am not going to ever speak of it with any shred of affection) was just not that busy! I had some busy days sure! But, the pace of that place was slow, trudging, and non-existent! There was no visioning. The meetings were not valuable, they were controlled, and they were pointless! Now, I am in a church where the demands, the expectations, the visioning, the visits, the messages, the worships, the meetings, the small groups, the newsletter, EVERYTHING all takes some piece out of me, everyday! And right now, I am feeling the effects of it all. I love being where I am, and I love who I work with, and most importantly, I love the people. But honestly, I love my family even more. And long after this uh, possible call, is over, they are still going to be with me. I just want them to know they are my top priority instead of any demand a church expects I will fulfill. I just want things to slow down... More later...