Bryant, Claycomb and Scavuzzo all have continued their commitment to health and wellness even in the midst of demanding schedules.
Dan Bryant starts almost every morning with the same routine. First he exercises his body, usually on a treadmill for a few miles, and then he exercises his soul through journaling.
“It has become important to me. I ask myself two questions: ‘Where have I experienced God in the previous day?’ and ‘Where did I have the opportunity to be in the presence of God and I missed it?’ or ‘Where did I find myself ill at ease?’” Bryant said. He also takes his commitment to pray for every church and every pastor in the Mahoning District very seriously.
While many people say their schedules do not permit time for eating healthy, feeding the soul or exercise, Bryant disagrees.
“Your schedule does not control you! Sometimes you have to intentionally change your schedule to allow periods of rest and relaxation,” he said. “Everyone needs to find time for respite. I work hard but I am not a workaholic. If I don’t take care of myself, I can’t be there for others.”
According to Bryant we should listen to our bodies. Listen to our spirits. Pay attention to our surroundings and ask: “How are you tending yourself? How do we allow our uniqueness to be used in a healthy way: physically, mentally, and spiritually? Not only should we pay attention, at times we need to take action and care for our bodies and souls,” he said.
Bryant is on the road – a lot. Rather than stop at a fast food restaurant, he fills a small cooler with apples, healthy snacks, and water and leaves it in the back seat of the car.
He encourages everyone to make a conscience decision to make healthier choices. Bryant said, “After all, we are moving onto perfection, but we’ve got to work on it!”
Judy Wismar Claycomb attributes her interest in health and wellness to her mother, a nutritionist and registered nurse who continued to be active – working out with a personal trainer at a retirement community until her death at age 89.
Growing up with nine around the dinner table, the Wismar children learned the importance of balanced meals, which were identifiable by varied colors on the dinner plate. A “No. 2” (green) vegetable in addition to any “starchy” vegetables like corn or potatoes was always included with the entrée.
“To this day if I see a plate served with all white or yellow foods, say, macaroni and cheese, corn and a dinner role, it still tweaks me,” Claycomb said.
The Wismars were (and are) a sports-oriented family, playing softball and basketball in their back yard. It wasn’t long before every hit was an over-the-hedge homerun.
“I remember being amazed and amused when Mom and Dad at some advanced age like 45 or so participated in the softball game at YMCA family camp,” she said. “One summer Mom created equipment for our homespun track and field events.”
After college Claycomb took up jogging and working out. This is how she manages stress and prevents illness. “In the life of ministry, as with all self-care, I have had to learn to protect and value time for exercise as ‘allowed’ and ‘good,’” she said.
Claycomb looks to the example of Christ. “For all his call and identity of self-giving servanthood, he knew and exercised God’s good gift of rest and reflection, leaving the crowd and crossing the lake and retreating in wilderness, and sharing in friends’ homes, “going to the other side,” being alone and re-creating his strength for loving,” she said.
Dave Scavuzzo is an avid runner, adventure hiker and enjoys paddling down a river of white water or a calm lake. He has been actively involved in sports most of his life.
“I grew up in a really active outdoor family and playing most any sport. I came to Christ in college and went to Colorado to serve in a camp and it seems that the Spirit became present in the most beautiful of places along with motion,” he said.
He continues to be active even as his schedule took a dramatic change when appointed to the superintendency. “I have had to be more determined not to begin missing my normal routine of exercise and eating right since my whole life is different,” he said.
“I run most every morning early when the sun comes up, which is my very favorite time of day,“ Scavuzzo said adding, “I haven’t spoiled a thing yet.”
Scavuzzo has an iPod and downloads messages and worship music yet he often turns it off to pray during his workout.
“I get lost and forget I’m running many times. It seems to be the environment that I work out challenges, issues of forgiveness (both directions) and moments of creativity where the Lord has my attention,” he said. “Sermon ideas and devotion thoughts flow freely during that time of day and when my body is occupied and fluid.”
Three different people with three different experiences yet sharing the same message: Take time to be with God, take time to make healthy food choices and take time for exercise. Good advice for us all.
