Thursday thought: Commit

I met with a dear friend this week to work on some music for a future project.  We chatted about the music we were rehearsing-- some of which is a bit out of my comfort zone, but beautiful nevertheless-- and he challenged me to commit to the music.  He may not have seen it as a challenge, but then he is in his element, and I am bringing my folksy, "pure" sound to his jazz.  All the same, it dawned on me that he was right.  I am tentative and uncommitted because I am uncomfortable and it all feels risky to me. After all, why leave a place of ease and wander where you can fail?

As I have practiced my music and reflected on that comment this week, I have had an epiphany of sorts: Those of us who like to skirt along the edges of perfectionism and pietism and legalism by nature have to work to move out of that spot where we can excuse our failures because we didn't really try.  If we are going to do something, we ought to commit to it wholeheartedly, and learn from the successes and the failures. That is to live fully, trusting that God's providential hand has brought you to this day, this time, this challenge. And you have nothing to fear.

And so, here's hoping that you find the courage to commit to your life today, Gentle Reader.  I am quaking in my boots, but I am right behind you.

 

Wednesday without words

Introducing...

Introducing Ezra Jude Finnegan.  He is 16 weeks gestation right now, and running track in his Mommy's tummy.  Emma will have a little brother, and he is due to arrive around April 11.  Join us in rejoicing with Tim and Nikki, and in praying for this little boy to grow and stay right where he should be as long as possible.

Five for Friday

Today I offer five fun short stories I will soon be reading with my little composition class.  If you need something enjoyable to read in a doctor's office waiting room, or before you fall asleep, try these titles.  For those that exist online I've tried to give you links.

1.  The Dog that Bit People by James Thurber

2. A Day's Wait by Ernest Hemmingway

3. Rip van Winkle by Washington Irving

4.  Chapter 3 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.  Strictly speaking this is not a short story, of course.  But it is a tight, beautiful piece of writing that can stand on its own, and is a rich example of how a great writer embeds a theme in a narrative.

5. "Red" by Elsa Johnson Finnegan.  This is a wonderful story, but you have to know the author to get a copy.  :-)

What short stories are your favorites, Gentle Reader?

Thursday thought: Peace

Peace can be hard to find at times.  We can become so distracted over even legitimate concerns that peace can get lost in the shuffle. I am thinking Wendell Berry's way to find peace sounds lovely.  May you find such peace today, Gentle Reader.

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wednesday without words

 "Cowboy Picnic": a recently completed quilt

And from my sunroom:

Leaving your finger prints

At a wedding last weekend, the father of the lovely bride and I were sharing memories of that dear girl.  The father gave me a smile, put his hand on my shoulder, and said, "Your fingerprints are all over my children!"

What a lovely thing to say! My fingerprints--or the effects of my influence and teaching-- had helped to sculpt his children, and he was grateful.

What could be better than helping to form the heart and mind of young people?  Whether it is your own children or someone else's, leave your fingerprints.  Leave them everywhere, Gentle Reader.  You will never regret it.