Circles

I watched Jedidiah coloring the other day. He grabbed a crayon and went round and round with it, creating a masterpiece of circles. It's such a simple shape - after all, it's one of the first things most children learn to draw - and a familiar one. Circular clocks count our time. We eat off of circular plates. Round wheels on our cars get us to where we need to go. Even round tables are places where friends gather for fellowship or discussion.

I once diagrammed my friendships (I know it sounds impersonal but bear with me) and it turned out to be a series of concentric circles (fellow Target shoppers know exactly what this looks like). One thing that hasn't changed is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is at my center: "And He looked about in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, 'Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.'" (Mark 3:34-35) And, of course, Justin has secured his spot just outside of where Jesus has staked His claim.

Many people have been in my inner and outer circles. This is certainly not to say that by "many" I have voted myself Most Popular. Nor does it imply that my inner circle is an exclusive group noteworthy of its own page in the national "Who's Who". Rather, the Lord knows that I am a social person and as such has blessed me with meeting and knowing people who teach me more about Him. I have friends who are constant reminders that I need to seek God in every and all things. I have friends who are examples to me of God's faithfulness and righteousness. I have friends with whom the Lord has called me to share His Truth. These friends may move between the inner and outer circles of my diagram but, nonetheless, they are present in my life and up to this point no one has disappeared (at least none that I am aware of).

The people in these circles should not consider it an honor. Instead, I humbly request their patience with my impatience, their laughter in my sorrow, their beauty from my ashes and their joy with my joy. And by the grace of God I will cling tightly to my crayon and continue to draw round and round with it, creating my masterpiece of circles.

AP History

Inspiration can come from anywhere. In this case, high school memories of having to write a 3-point essay in 35 minutes every Friday have reminded me how much I enjoy writing. Granted, at the time, it was weekly torture having to prepare a written argument for 10 possible topics in American History, but I realize what a valuable experience it was. I look back at that beer-gutted teacher inappropriately dressed in short shorts and appreciate how strict he was in teaching his students to write properly and effectively. I also appreciate that he sat behind a large podium most of the time.

And just as inspiration comes, it goes. Although having four sons can provide a wealth of material about which to blog, my free time to actually write is inversely proportional to the time it takes to meet their needs, however interesting or entertaining they may be. And while I have the intention of creating articulate streams of thought and works of prose, I expect to be interrupted and my works cut short.

So for now I will refrain from predicting the frequency of my posts, but at least I know that the intent exists. And I also know that I can still crank out an essay debating whether the American Revolution was, in fact, a "revolution" - just give me 35 minutes.