I have spent my adult life preparing for the next church event.  I've either been thinking about the upcoming lesson or church talk that I was to give, or planning and preparing for an activity.  There has always been something.  When one was over and done with, there were the next ones to get ready for.

And suddenly there's nothing.  The corona-virus pandemic has shut off everyone's responsibilities that way.  But for me, the shutdown happened a year earlier when I was ordained a patriarch.  I'm not supposed to have any other calling.  It's strange to not be worrying about preparing for the next activity.  There is not even any preparation to be done for the next patriarchal blessing.  I don't let myself have any thoughts about what I might say to the person who is coming for the blessing.  The words must come from the Spirit, and not from me.

It is a little weird to not be worrying over the next event.  I find that I'm peaceful.  All that I have to do by way of preparation to be a patriarch is to keep myself worthy and in tune with the Spirit.  I do that with my several-hour morning study, and the 10 pages that I read in the Book of Mormon at bedtime.  That is all pure enjoyment, with no worry or pressure involved.  That's probably why a patriarch isn't to have any other church responsibilities.