What is a pastoral sabbatical? And how can it be a “magical” sabbatical? Let’s hear the perspective of our guest Blogger: Christina Fairman (FYI, Christina was a Senior Editor for the blog babygizmo!).
We’ll get back to theology, and pneumatology, and church mission/vision stuff in a little bit. But first, let’s answer the “magical” question!
-HEF
What is a pastoral sabbatical? It can be hard to understand, because three months away from the day-to-day work of one’s job sure looks like a three-month vacation. It’s really not, though. It’s three months of study, of reflection and prayer, of learning, and of personal growth. It’s a time to reset, and to connect and reconnect with God, loved ones, and one’s self. And it’s a time to rest. Huh. Okay, I guess you got me. There’s a little bit of vacation in there, too.
About that vacation… Youall know us right, the Fairmans? So, you know we love Walt Disney World. But do you know how we came to love Disney?
Way back when E was about a year old, a change in our childcare situation meant I had to make a hard choice to leave a job I loved to become an at-home parent. To paraphrase the immortal words of Scuttle the seagull, it meant E and I spent a lot of time staring at each other all day. It got very boring. I did what any person who had never successfully run a mile would do and took up running. It got E and me outside enjoying fresh air and exploring nature together—all good things.
However, I couldn’t just run with no purpose, so naturally, I decided I would run a half marathon five and half months after I picked up my running shoes.
Friends, I did run that race, and it was amazing!
Then (I don’t recall how) I learned that Disney has a whole running program called Run Disney. They host themed races at the Disney parks all year long. I immediately signed up and I ran my first Disney Princess Half Marathon ten months after my first half marathon. But the best part wasn’t the race. The best part was that this was that Hank came along to cheer me on and took his first-ever trip to Walt Disney World! That part was absolutely magical. There’s nothing like experiencing Disney with someone for the first time.
We went back the next year and ran together. Hank even completed The Glass Slipper Challenge, running the 10K race on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday. And of course, we enjoyed ourselves at the parks for a few days, too.
The year after that, we brought E for her first visit (and race!). The joy of introducing your child to something you love so much—well, at the risk of overusing an adjective, it’s magical! I mean seriously: one of the Lost Boys stepped out of a parade to interact with her! It was a pure Disney moment.
Unfortunately, that was our last year at the races. I’ve been sidelined by chronic illness ever since. It was not however, our last year at Walt Disney World. Three years later, we went back to celebrate my birthday and to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. At the end of that especially magical trip, I was so sad to leave what feels like our home away from home.
This summer, I am overjoyed that, after five years, this period of sabbatical is providing our family the time to go back to our home away from home: Port Orleans Riverside at Walt Disney World Resort. We are inexpressibly grateful for this opportunity to reconnect and be together. We look forward to telling you all about it!
-CMF
