The Pastoral Grind

(Originally written for Douglas County Publishing: Pastor's Meditation September 8 issue) As the new school year hits its stride, many families enter back into the mode of juggling a million things every day.   Parents have to get their kids (and themselves) ready in the morning and get them on the bus or to school on time.   Children and young people attend to the work involved with their classes and interact with one another.   Athletes and teams squeeze in practices and games.   By the time each person gets home, most just want to relax.   But in the mix of things, meals need to be made or gone out to get, and chores need to be done around the house which has somehow gotten messy once again.   Everyone is trying to find a few moments just to sit and catch their breaths. When we turn on the TV, flip through magazines, or surf the internet, we are bombarded with advertisements.   Companies tell us that their newest product will make our lives easier.   If we will download