Thankful
Five things I'm grateful for this week.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are a few things I'm thankful for.
Beautiful architecture. Our church has been searching for a facility to purchase for the congregation and our non-profit organization. The two buildings we've looked at most closely have both been genuinely beautiful. Both are over one hundred years old and the craftsmanship and detail oriented for worship are inspiring. Depending on how things go with the most recent building I may have more to say about it here in the coming months.
Family road trips. Yesterday our family woke up early, loaded our 2012 Honda Accord, and made the nine-hour drive to West Tennessee to spend a few days with Maggie's family. It's a drive we've made many times over the past couple of decades, beginning when our family drive consisted solely of the two of us. We're a books and podcasts kind of crew when it comes to road trips, with an occasional nap tossed in for a few of us. Honestly, though, I just love the excuse to hang out with my three favorite people for a day.
Helen's Barbecue. Speaking of road trips, one of my favorite things to do when visiting my in-laws is to visit Helen's Bar-B-Que. Helen arrives to her small restaurant early each morning to stoke the fire. The smell of wood smoke and pulled pork, especially on an autumn afternoon, is sublime. (Wood smoke, pulled pork, and autumn foliage... I'd wear that cologne.) My in-laws picked up a few pounds and a couple of containers of sauce for last night's dinner- the perfect way to begin a few days of feasting.
The Brothers Karamazov. I tried to read Dostoevsky's classic a bunch of years ago but stalled. I purchased the Norton Critical Edition a year ago, hoping that the extended introduction and footnotes would provide enough context to keep me moving. Then I bumped into this series of introductory videos by Jessica Hooten Wilson which gives just enough of an explanation for each of the book's sections. I read a chapter most evenings before bed and I'm legitimately enjoying it. Anecdotally, I find that whenever the world seems especially haywire, reading an old book provides a strange sense of stability and light; that's certainly been the case with The Brothers Karamazov.
Readers. I continue to bump into people who've read and appreciated Rediscipling the White Church. Each time I get to talk with someone who is connecting racial justice with discipleship it's hard not to grin; what an encouragement to know that others are pursuing this essential ministry. This past week I heard from one of the first early readers of the next book. His kind words assuaged some of my insecurities and helped stoke some excitement about the chance to share it more widely. More on that project and its timeline in the next few months.
There is, of course, much more to give thanks for: my family, our congregation, dear friends... and you. Thanks for reading!