I came up from the subway this morning to find something like sand blowing in my face. It was like one of those desert windstorms where you and the wind are pushing against each other; you squint to keep the sand out of your eyes; you almost dance with the wind as your body responds countermotively to the wind’s lead. It felt like a dance — a cold, bristly, unpredictable dance.
What am I going to do today, Valentines Day? Well, I have to work. But what next? I might attend an adult scripture study class. Same course material, but about two weeks behind my seminary class. I could go home and lesson-plan and do some homework, which looks like what may actually happen.
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I really like the way “things” are going.
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It occurred to me during a Sunday School class that discussed why bad things happen, Why DO bad things happen? What’s with all the tragedy and catastrophe? What’s the point of it all? Yes, God can stop it from happening. All of it. In the same vein, though, why doesn’t he stop people from sinning? Why not just shove perfection down our throats; why not have the world stage unanimous, puppeted goodness? Where is the value in making hard choices?
Learning, progression, glory. Three simple words, but by no means are they the easy answer. Don’t deny yourself the experience of the process. Don’t try to dismiss or ignore pain and anger and sadness. Don’t wallow in it, either. Remember who you are and who and what you love. Keep going.
