Don,
Even my friends in full time ministry admit there are times "in the desert" where they feel disconnected...but those are the times, as the poem about "footprints in the sand" remind us that is when there are only one set of footprints, because Christ is carrying us in his own arms.
I keep having to remind myself through the myriad of daily challenges, that God is always listening, but like any good parent, sometimes He has to wait on us to be quiet so we can listen...and sometimes, He has to say "no."
Keep the Son in your eyes!