So much happens in a week, doesn’t it? Although I was in the habit of blogging every day, I have found in the last several weeks that even if I write whenever I have a free chunk of time, I only fit in about once a week. While the discipline of daily blogging provides the volume of writing that is sure to hone my craft, the necessity of weekly blogging makes me carefully consider what is going to get my time.
So what should I choose to write about?
- One of the ten or more students that I met within the last week?
- The Supreme Court’s decision on Gay Marriage?
- The Controversy over the Confederate flag?
- Seeing extended family at a funeral?
- Welcoming my son home for his leave from the military?
- Attending a worship service with hundreds of Lutherans at the Michigan District Convention?
- The storm that flooded the basement in our home in Missouri?
- The tomatoes and kale that are growing in my yard?
- Or one of any number of other events that took place in the past week?
Although I often mention my students in my writing, I try to stay away from too much detail so as to preserve their confidentiality. Countless Americans have weighed in on the Supreme Court decision, slightly fewer have commented on the Confederate flag; I’m sure I won’t add to that discussion. Seeing family was priceless, but I am not sure I can capture the meaning of the connection between cousins, that spans time and distance, in mere words. The news of my son’s visit is pasted all over my Facebook page; it doesn’t need to be in my blog, too.
The worship service in Concordia’s chapel, in which hundreds of voices sang a cappella in harmony, was beautiful. Our house was preserved from devastating damage during a severe storm, Praise God. And, guys, my brown thumbs are growing things! But, I’m not sure I want to write about any of that, either!
So perhaps it would be best if I write about what didn’t happen this week.
- I didn’t become bored with teaching; I am still enjoying every minute — from editing, to grammar instruction, to practicing sight words, to (gasp!) math.
- My love for the freedoms we enjoy in America did not change, nor did my love for all of God’s people.
- I didn’t suddenly decide that people who have the right to free speech should be insensitive to the meanings that words and symbols communicate to others.
- I was not disappointed in the love exchanged between my family members.
- I did not turn away when my daughter, who hadn’t seen her brother in eighteen months, leapt into his arms at the airport. Nor did I look away when he held her and hugged her back.
- I was not unimpressed by the beauty of hundreds of voices lifted in praise.
- I did not panic when the property manager called to inform us of the damage from the flooding.
- I did not kill any plants.
- I didn’t spend the time I like to spend in Bible study and prayer,
- and, God did not stop being faithful to me.
And there is the nugget, ladies and gentlemen. Amid work and politics, family farewells and reunions, worship and loss, growth and failure, God is still God. He is still faithful. He still reigns. Nothing we do or don’t do will ever change his character or consistency. He is with us; we have nothing to fear.
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
-Chris Tomlin
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