Bedtime in our house is probably much like any other family.  There are snacks, stories, procrastination, kisses and finally closing the door on another day.  Sometimes though, during the bedtime routine, little questions of life poke their way through and need to be pondered.  Last night, it came from a conversation with my daughter.  This is her grade 6 year, and it's a time of transition both physically and emotionally.  We've had conversations recently about friendship and what it means to be a good friend.  Last night we were talking about the difference between "good time" friends and "long time"

Two weeks ago I was in the process transforming an empty work space into a comfortably, welcoming office space.  As I was unpacking, I realized that each book, each candle, each piece of paper and little knick knack had a story, had a connection with the years I have spent in ministry.  One accumulates a lot of stuff in 15 years of ministry.  These things, though, are part of my ministry, and tell the story of who I am as minister, and who the churches I have worked with are.  I can't take the people with me, but their connection