Chaplain's Corner: Too busy not to... Published June 26, 2008 By Chaplain (Capt.) David E. Del Prado Tinker Chapel TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Some of you may have heard me share a humorous story of a minister who's running behind schedule for a meeting in downtown. After driving 10 times around the building where the meeting is being held and no parking space in site, he decides to take the risk and park in a no parking zone. Conscious about what he's done he leaves a note on the windshield of his car where he writes, "I have driven 10 times around the block, I am running behind schedule for a meeting; forgive us our trespasses." A police officer pulls over, reads the note then proceeds to write a ticket. The officer attaches a note to the ticket that says, "I've driven around these blocks for 10 years and if I don't give you a ticket I'll get in trouble; lead us not into temptation". These past several months have been incredibly busy for all of us. Trainings, seminars, military exercises, luncheons, meetings, planning sessions and the list goes on (I'm sure you can add lots more to this list); this doesn't even include juggling home life. Like the minister, we all know the feeling of falling behind the eight ball and the frustration that comes over us when we believe we've hit the cue ball hard enough to impact the eight ball only to find it falling short again. A pastor/teacher by the name of Bill Hybels once wrote a book entitled Too Busy Not To Pray (meditate). Something that occurs to most of us, if we're honest, is that we begin to lose focus. Our minds are running at 1000 mph even with the help of the little electronic brains we call Crackberries; oops, I mean Blackberries, Palm Pilots and other PDAs. The brain gets tired. While most of us have traditionally understood prayer/meditation as a time where we stop what we are doing to practice this important spiritual discipline, we need to also practice this discipline throughout each day. Paul, in the New Testament is an example of a very busy man. He traveled to various countries, was an author, teacher, debated in public and private forums, spent time with dignitaries, and founded many successful non-profit faith-based organizations to meet the needs of local communities. In addition, he managed his tent making business that provided the financial base for all of his investments. This man coined the phrase, "pray/meditate without ceasing." Some of you, as I once did, are probably asking how in the world did he pull it off, if he was so busy? You see, he practiced an age old discipline of being in continuous dialogue with God while meeting the demands of each day. For some of us this continuous dialogue may be a higher power, a philosophy or set of principles that keep you focused and energized. The idea is to keep in mind that you are not alone but that someone beyond you is with you to provide strength and serenity throughout your day. This practice empowered Paul to stay focused and to accomplish much in his lifetime. So as we go throughout our busy day, let us remember that we have a place to go to in prayer where we can be rejuvenated and strengthened; a place of hope and inspiration. A great way to stay refreshed is to post little inspirational notes all around you. Also, take a moment to pray and reflect upon all the good things in your life. In other words, take time to smell the flowers because we are too busy not to pray!