what should i do?

[pianistimo]

ok.  my husband is supposed to be somewhere today at 9-10 am and was up until 4:30 this morning.  (he's giving a sermon)  being more laid back than he, i'd have just left my sermon to chance and gotten some sleep.  anyway, now he's got to get up and 8 and drive to philadelphia and later to allentown.  my son is a new driver.  he says he's going to let our son drive.  but, when i drive with my son - he sometimes makes occasional surprising gestures - such as suddenly pulling out with little room to spare (you know, things like that). 

now, i'm thinking - maybe i should go and sit int he front seat passengers side and make sure they get there.  if my husband falls asleep, they may end up doing some damage.  or, do i make my son feel like i don't trust him when i go?

[pianistimo]

ok. problem is beginning to be solved.  my son won't arouse from sleep anyway.  guess we'll leave the troop at home.

[thalbergmad]

Is your husband a priest?

[pianistimo]

well, he works during the week at a drug company (merck) so he's not called full time into the ministry.  that's why he's up so late to work a sermon on the weekend.  he's sort of a renaissance man - i guess.  his family comes from a long line of priests, though.  funny you mentioned it.  he used to belong to the russian orthodox church and grew up cantoring (that's why the voice).  he started out being the priests trouble-making son - doing stuff with candle wax when people werent' looking (you know - dipping fingers in it and things) and probably drinking the rest of the wine.   then, gradually in his own life - he looked for God seriously.  he decided that he wanted to study religion and pretty much has been studying it for years.  he has written occasional articles and stuff and likes to read a lot and frequent libraries.  his favorite books are the ones written by paul.  he sees himself as an 'inclusive' christian (and doesn't exclude anyone who claims faith) - and, after living with him so many years - feel that he has the faith to be a priest if he wanted (he's very patient and forgiving - and has helped me immensely at various times in my own life).  i think he could easily be a priest.  i think in the russian orthodox church that it is ok to be married, too.  this would have made his family happy - but he decided to sort of go off on his own.  make his own way - so to speak.  his own spiritual journey.  i think he's like me - he has experienced many things through the grace of God and doesn't limit how God might work through him or with him.  the pay for priesthood is measly, too, and probably not much of an incentive.

[gruffalo]

i have a lot of respect for the ministry. Im a Catholic, so priests dont marry or have jobs or anything, so i admire the ministers because they experience the ordinary family life, troubles and stuff and can help you from experience. Im not saying that Catholic priests dont have a hard life, im just saying that they cant relate to our lives aswell as the ministers do.

I have a lot of respect for your husband, having a job and being a minister.

Gruff