Congratulations on your hard work,
thanks for the support and the memories,
and best wishes for your future endeavors,
yadda yadda yadda …
thanks for the support and the memories,
and best wishes for your future endeavors,
yadda yadda yadda …
Sometimes (like tonight, after having heard more or less the same message
a handful of times in the last week) I wonder:
a handful of times in the last week) I wonder:
Doesn’t anyone have anything original to say?
These graduation speeches seem canned and recycled.
I guess the fact that these are traditional ceremonies means
that there is a sort of script to follow.
that there is a sort of script to follow.
Just because it’s not my first time doesn’t make any less meaningful.
It is different people participating each time.
And it is a momentous occasion for them –
the students and their parents and fan club (me included).
I am sincerely proud of my students, and
I am learning to value seemingly repetitious procedures
I am learning to value seemingly repetitious procedures
as part of the transition and reflection process,
but I want to use this opportunity to warn you:
Don’t expect anything original from me either.
If you read any of the other World Race participants’ blogs,
then you’ll already know what to expect
in terms of the where and what of our ministries.
I love to read them because they excite me and give me direction.
But occasionally (like before I am about to post something on this blog),
I also hear myself wondering:
I also hear myself wondering:
What is the point of every one of us
(40 missionaries per squad, 3 squads a year, for 3 years so far)
reporting on the same experiences?
Soon after, I hear myself realize
(it’s actually probably the Holy Spirit reminding me) that
(it’s actually probably the Holy Spirit reminding me) that
it’s not the same experience.
Yes, it’s the same location, possibly the same people, and
definitely the same Unchanging God,
definitely the same Unchanging God,
but each one of US is unique, and
we approach experiences with different perspectives,
and then we put our own personal spin on them.
I will probably continue to post blurbs from other World Race participants’ blogs,
for the benefit of:
for the benefit of:
1) those of you who don’t read them regularly yourselves,
that you might become more aware and be blessed,
that you might become more aware and be blessed,
2) those missionaries and their ministries,
for whom you might be prompted to pray,
for whom you might be prompted to pray,
and 3) myself –
because when I repeat their stories and devotions,
because when I repeat their stories and devotions,
I take the time to reflect, and I am encouraged or convicted.
So, yeah, again,
Don’t expect anything original from me.
Other people might say it better than I could,
(and so I will be extremely self-conscious
and/or I will shamelessly and extravagantly quote them).
But some reflections are worth recycling –
either for emphasis (learn the lesson it already!)
or for the simple pleasure of re-experiencing it.
Please hang in there with me – and JOIN ME –
as I process information and experiences in this spiritual journey.
as I process information and experiences in this spiritual journey.
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