Grace Matters: When You Did Not Expect Joy

A friend's dream of owning a gift and floral shop dies after two years; the bankruptcy thrusts her family into a personal financial crisis as well.

A company that thrives on customers' abilities to spend hefty amounts of disposable income begins the tough business of staying afloat by laying off hundreds - eventually thousands - of employees.

A college that existed for more than a century through the grace of supporters and grit of tenacious faculty, staff and administrators boldly decides to sell its assets in an act of faith some regard as faithless.

Individuals across this country (indeed, the world) continue to experience tough - even dire - times because they do not have sufficient means to continue living as they've been accustomed.

I found this audio file tonight and was reminded that this radio ministry, too, has become a casualty of the economy. Rev. Peter Marty did such a beautiful job with this unique ministry. I know many are missing the blessing of his weekly broadcasts.

I couldn't resist listening again to the opportunity he offered me to join him in a broadcast more than a year ago. The interview - his questions, my musings, his wonderful way of tying it all together - made me smile.

Yes, there still is involuntary joy in the midst of it all. May you experience joy as you have need!

http://gracematters.org/2008listen.html#March

Something to Say

Blogs give everyone a place to say what they think. That's why it should be a great fit for someone like me. So why don't I blog more?

In a word: Time.

In a phrase: Not enough time to edit what I'm thinking.

Certainly I have a lot to say. I just worry that if I spend more time blogging, I'll also spend too much time worrying that what I had written was not edited well. In fact, even now I'm worried that what I'm writing about here is basically about nothing. And that, in writing about basically nothing, I'm doing it in a wordy way.

And it is...wordy, that is. Isn't it?

So how about a basic update?

This week I spent an entire day writing and editing a piece I first penned (is that word appropriate even when something is typed on a computer?) in March 2001. It's something I'll submit to The Muse, Waldorf College's literary publication. All I've left to do is title it. And since it's not titled, I can't tell you it. I will tell you it's a prose piece that features Skye rather than Stross, as I wanted to give him a little time in the sun as well.

So that's what I wrote this week.

I wrote something last week as well: an article about personal holy days for The Lutheran magazine. I think I've coined the term: personal holy day. And I'd tell you what it means, but then you wouldn't have a reason to read my article when it's published.

I should also mention what's happening with radio support of Involuntary Joy. Last month I recorded an interview with the Rev. Peter Marty, host of Grace Matters, the nationally syndicated radio program of the ELCA. It will air sometime in March. And then yesterday, I recorded an interview for a Christian radio station in Des Moines, Life 107.1 FM. I thoroughly enjoyed both conversations; however, both times I thought of things I should have said after the taping was done. I'm getting better at articulating the core messages of Involuntary Joy, though. For someone who thinks aloud, there is probably no other way to do it.

The next thing I intend to write is the rest of my marketing plan.

And with that, I have no catchy or clever way to end this blog.

So...until later, I guess.

PS - I can't resist this last thought on writing and finding the right words: When Barack Obama wrote "Yes, we can" in his speech the first time he chose to use it, did he remember that it's Bob, The Builder's theme song? Did he care?