I’ve mentioned that I am mildly – or possible wildly – uncomfortable with the idea of blogging in the first place, primarily because I feel odd about holding forth for x-hundred words with the expectation that anyone will want to read it.  Thus my inconsistency in writing.  Then time passes, people need things, the road to mission trips and vacation beckons…

Truthfully, I’ve sat down at the keyboard multiple times and stared at a blank screen.  Type, reread, delete, repeat.  There’s too much to write about, and too little.  The WORLD is big and overwhelming and full of crazy people, a notion reinforced every time I look at a screen that is connected to it.  The need to educate myself about the many, many BIG issues going on inevitably brings a malaise that steers toward a cup of coffee, a cookie and a good novel.  I don’t want or plan to bury my head in the sand.  It’s just that the very effort of learning even the names of all the different “sides” to everything going on makes me tired.  The sheer mass of information available, and the persuasiveness of all of it, adds another layer to the heavy responsibility of sifting and winnowing truth from fiction.  Right from wrong.  To whom I should throw my support on any given issue, on any given day.  What friends I might lose depending on what I say today, or tomorrow.

What ultimately sets me to rights is the secure knowledge that I wasn’t designed to effect change on a global scale.  A lot of people are, and I’m amazed and full of admiration for their skills and abilities.  No, I’m a 5-table coffeeshop kind of band – no arena tours for this girl.   My job is more of a behind-the-scenes, right-place-at-the-right-time kind of thing.  “Divine appointments” is the “church term” and what I believe them to be.  The funny thing about writing this blog, which started as a result of the many interesting conversations I find myself in, is that those key appointments are where my ministry and influence lie.  And because those small, specific moments are often pretty BIG conversations to the participants (myself included), I find it impossible or disrespectful to share them with outside readers!

So, as the weeks progress and more world events unfold, I am determined to overcome my malaise and really dive into what’s going on and what it all means.  I want to be prepared for those small, divine conversations that might affect what others – and I, myself – think, and do, about it. I truly welcome your input – I’ve been very surprised by the varying (and who-would-have-thought) opinions of many of my friends online regarding current events.  I’m a big believer in benefiting from the knowledge of people I can trust.  And after a post like this, be on the lookout for an upcoming, obnoxious “how cute are my adorable kids???” edition, complete with pseudo-artistic photos…..