Stop Defaulting To “Home” And “Work”

Leadership 1 Minute

My preferred note taking app doesn’t work with the updated version of my phone’s operating system, so I went looking for a replacement. The first one I tried gave me default “Work” and “Home” to do lists, and the moment I looked at them I realized something about my life. Then I deleted the app.

“Work” and “Home” don’t make sense as separate vocational categories for me anymore. The projects I’m working on for my pastoral job do not feel more (or less) important to me than the projects I’m focusing on at home, the events at my daughter’s school or the meals I’m learning to cook at the end of each day.

This is a choice that privileged people get to make. I watched my dad endure a blue collar job for over 30 years, and he lived–absolutely lived–for his leisure time away from it. “Home” and “Work,” for him, were warring parties. That’s the norm for the majority of people.

I guess what I’m saying is that I’m grateful for my work and my family.

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Published by Rocky Supinger

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5 thoughts on “Stop Defaulting To “Home” And “Work””

  1. I get what you’re saying, and I’ve operated like that for a long time myself. But now I’m trying to maintain better boundaries between work and home, because inevitably it’s my family that suffers when I don’t.

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    1. I’m with you there. Can work and home life be integrated in a way that protects boundaries for both? I think so. I’m finding that conceiving of them as the same work actually protects family boundaries better

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      2. Family member and neighbor are parts of our vocation equal to minster. So if I have to pick up my kids prescriptions today and I also have to write a sermon, one of those can’t get pushed.

  2. Maybe what you’re saying is that you are one of the fortunate few who really enjoy your work so much that it’s not just a means to make money but a very important part of your life. For that I am also grateful. Parents always want they’re children to have a better life than they did. I would hate for you to go through what your Dad and I did. Meredith is an integral part of that though. Her job affords you the ability to live the way you do. There are plenty of pastors who must work another job to support their family. And for that I am also grateful. That you both enjoy your work lives is a big plus. Mom

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