What a serious soul I can be at times! I'm like my dad in this way. For too long I have pushed aside the grace of play. But returning this week from a four-month sabbatical, I am reclaiming play. While on sabbatical I played a lot. I went bike riding at the beach, hiked arroyos and mesas in the high desert, kayaked on Abiqu Lake, and went white water rafting on the Yuma River. I also went dancing at Johnny's Hideaway in Atlanta! I laughed a lot, made new friends, ate scrumptious salads and honey soaked sopapillas. I've promised myself not to lose the grace of play. And so far I haven't. A friend suggested I take tennis lessons with her and I had my first class last night. What a blast! There's a prayer for the good use of leisure in our Book of Common Prayer and I'm taking it to heart: O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.