A Tactical Week

Tactical : (of a person or their actions) showing adroit planning; aiming at an end beyond the immediate action

Last week was a tactical week.

After leading three worship services, Dave and I drove to Spencerport to help Aunt Betty move. As I drove, he worked on his paper for an MBA class. When he finished around hour 4 of the 6.5 hour drive, we traded spots and he drove while I proofread.

Each day was carefully planned to accomplish Aunt Betty’s move in a way that was as calm and competent as possible. We took tactical breaks to keep our spirits and blood sugar up. We packed boxes tactically so that the shower curtain would be readily available, along with measuring tape, certain light bulbs, the hardware for the bed, and alarm clock. We tactically marked that box only “OPEN FIRST!”

My back aches, my hands are sore from opening boxes, and my mind refuses to focus. Yep, I just survived another move! Dave and I have moved together 6 times in our 25 years together. We moved his mom three years ago, and Aunt Betty’s move is #8.

It’s now Sunday evening and my house is quiet except for the running of the dishwasher. Dave is taking a final, kids are relaxing in their rooms, and I’m looking at my Panda Planner plotting my week ahead.

This week will be a tactical week, too - in a very different way.

I aim to adroitly plan this week so that I am refreshed, engaging, and able to focus by the weekend. I’m marking out time each day for exercise, sermon preparation, and catching up on the home front.

This week will be another tactical, intentional, productive week. Instead of moving an aunt into a lovely new home, by Friday I will be moving through the world with more grace, self-compassion, and energy.