What's next? (Who knows)

Friday, May 22, 2020
Masuk (Open another blog post?) Sure.

Our eldest son turned 40 this week, born a day after Mt St Helens erupted. We joke that it took a volcanic blast to push him into the world. According to the doc's mis/calculation, Jeremy arrived 15 days after his due date. We're glad he's here and glad he's ours. We'd make an Indonesian feast in your honor, son, if we could.

His sis Kirsten cooked us an amazing lemon-sweet pepper pasta last night, and I'm still smiling abut the taste. Each of the kids knows his/her way around the kitchen. Those noodles were yummy.

On another note about another kind of healthy living, I've been part of a Soul Care group for 6 weeks. Over a dozen leaders who live in all parts of the world have met for direction on how to care for self so we can lead well. Physical nourishment and exercise, spiritual intention, plus emotional and mental rest - they're vital reminders and takeaways. I'll miss the rhythms of those Thursday afternoon gatherings. And I'm miss the wise voices that spoke carefully to each other.

This Friday, by 11am, I've been in 3 meetings online. One is a memorial service for a coworker with cancer. Another is with an advisory mastermind. And tah dah! one is with my dear parents.

 It's helpful to be in the BIC office, which is empty and quiet except for the buzz of the weedwacker and the revving of some engines being repaired next door.

At least there's good internet. My desk calendar is empty; everything's recorded online. A teacup, some post-its, and a mask are at hand. That's all I need in front of me right now.

I pull out a paintbrush during the meetings. I need to make notes on the process of change, which is covered in one of the meetings.

I usually prefer to work from home, which has an equally nice but different view.

The home desk is cluttered with papers as I prep an class for next month. The syllabi are done and sent off. We need 2 distinct roadmaps in the syllabi because there are two education levels (BA and MA) in one classroom. I'm happy that the revised course outline is also close to finished.

Today, some terrific ideas come from the mastermind group. Some of the members are lecturers and all are leaders. They discuss what they'd hope to learn in such a course. Oh, ladies, you're awesome help!

It's funny to compare our fresh-faced videos from 8 weeks ago with the weariness we feel now, still not knowing what's coming in the next 2-4 months.

Then ...

Now...

I have a second question for the mastermind. "What would you want your team leader to communicate to the team?" Their feedback; "Tell us where we are now, where we will be soon (plans for the next few months), and where you think we're headed in the future. But hold that future loosely for us. It's going to be something else, other than what was before."

Yup, you and I are in transition to ... more change. No one thinks we're just going to walk through a doorway with everyone and everything on the other side the same as it used to be. God has permitted this disruption for his own reasons. He knows what we're learning from Him in the process.

What are you learning? What's your takeaway so far? Are you excited? Anxious? Numb? Running as fast as you can or resting?

W and I are part of several great teams. The great volunteers around us recognize many needs and ways to help.

Our prayer to God every day is, "What about this, in this place, in this time, is Your plan for us?"

How can we care for people and provide resources for what God is doing? You and I will do our best, but right now it's one step ahead of the other.

Read more:
*You who love the Lord, hate evil! Psalm 9:10

*[Christ said,] I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. John 12:32

*[The apostle Peter tucks this wonderful prayer into his letter.] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11  NIV

*But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Ephesians 4:15

Moravian Prayer; Great Teacher, we know that our faith as Christians is a journey. Help us to grow closer to you each day through practices of prayer, worship, and acts of love for one another and you. In your name, we pray. Amen.