A dear friend reminded me Saturday that I haven’t written a blog in over a week. I’m not going to flatter myself enough to think you missed it (or perhaps even noticed). Nonetheless, years ago when I first started doing this (back when these blogs were called “Give It Some Thought”), I promised people who bother to read what I write that I would post something each week. Sometimes I lag behind. I offer my apologies.
Trying to justify (which is a softer way of saying, “to make excuses”), I have been busier than usual. There are my classes at High Point University. Last week was test week, so preparing and grading fifty-five tests takes extra time and attention. Plus, I was lecturing and grading papers for a couple of classes I teach at Duke. Then this weekend I was invited to preach at a wonderful church I served back in the late 80s and early 90s. That took some preparing. I didn’t want to embarrass myself, you know. I’m filming things this week, so those scripts have to be written and edited. Plus, my wife has been in Turkey for two weeks and won’t return till Wednesday. So, I’ve been eating out a lot. Too much. Really fattening stuff “while the cat’s away.” She will notice upon her return that the mouse is plumper than when she left.
So much for trying to justify (aka, make excuses). In all honesty, I could’ve done a far better job of time management. Lots of basketball tournaments were on TV last week. I watched most of them – often till 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. And, I uploaded too many documentaries on Prime and HULU. I even watched some old episodes of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” on TUBI. (I trust you won’t tell anyone about that.) Plus, I have to confess to a certain amount of laziness. The recliner is more comfortable than the desk chair.
Additionally, there was life. If you read what I write, you know I try … usually … to provide a positive perspective. There is so much fear, angst, and suffering in the world. We need voices who, though not ignoring the pain, at least try to apply a bit of salve here and there. I seek to occupy a tiny corner of that world. But, sometimes it’s a difficult place to plant your flag.
The middle east is blowing apart and somehow has managed to draw our nation into the conflict. Ukraine is still being ravaged by Putin. The economy is unhealthy (Lord forbid you have to put gasoline in your car or pay a power bill!). Elected officials frequently disappoint and even embarrass those they are supposed to serve. Religious voices who claim to follow the “Prince of Peace” lash out with vitriol at those who are not in lock-step with their philosophies and worldviews. People who were abused (many as children and youth) are shamed and silenced, while abusers walk away virtually unscathed. Folks we love die, and we’re never ready to let them go. Just recently two dear individuals passed. I was planning to see each of them soon, but didn’t have the chance. Those of us who knew and loved them realize that the world has shifted and won’t quite be the same again. In short, life happens … and it can make positivity a challenge. It’s a thin line from looking on the sunny side to looking through rose-colored glasses.
What I have to keep reminding myself is that there is, in fact, a sunny side. The world at this moment is not rose-colored. However, those with an understanding of history know that it really never has been. They also know that in every era and epoch, we’ve somehow survived and even discovered blessings to celebrate. When I began typing this blog, we were under a tornado alert. Bells were ringing on cell phones with messages advising people to find safe shelter. As I look out my window now, I see that the storm has passed. The rain has stopped falling. The wind has ceased blowing. The sun is peeking out. And the grass, though wet, is green with the promise of spring. “Beauty in the midst of bad times.” I need to keep looking for the bright and beautiful in life, even in the midst of bad times. And if I don’t see it, then I need to do whatever I can to create it. Maybe that is one of our central purposes – to make bad things better, to make dark times brighter, and when we see glimpses of light in a shadowy world, at least to point them out to others.
Sorry I’m a few days late with the blog. I tell myself I was busy. Maybe I was just momentarily lost in the shadows. But, the rain has stopped. It always does. As Dr. King said: “The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.” So, I’ll keep typing.