9/20/2025
The dove lit in the tree over my head. I scared it off and shot it flying away. A guy I know just down the fence line shouted, “good shot!” I said thanks and went and got my dove just like it was no big deal. But, though I would never let on about it (duh), I was actually surprised it turned out that way. Because if I don’t have time to take careful aim, I’m liable to miss more often than not. I may know what I’m doing with a shotgun in my hands, I just don’t usually do it very well.
It’s that way with a lot of things.
As a matter of fact, I often find myself only a couple of steps ahead of the bear and losing ground quicker than I’m gaining on the cabin door.
About three times a week, the grip I have on the lion’s tail comes loose which leads to a fair bit of scratching and clawing.
In other words, I don’t really have it all together.
A professor and I hosted a Christian Faculty Meet and Greet earlier this week. It was amazing. And I had no idea what I was doing. Or, actually, I did have an idea of what I wanted to do, but like shooting at doves, it’s pretty much just putting shot in the air and hoping for the best.
I spend a lot of time stirring up dust in hopes that something good will come out it.
And even though I’m very well aware of how far from ‘all together’ I have things, I’d just as soon it look like I did. But those who know me best aren’t fooled. And I guess I’m glad about that. So, for those who might not know me so well, I’ll let you in on a few secrets.
I’d often just as soon stay at base camp with a cup of coffee and my dog at my feet watching the cattle graze as go to a campus somewhere and try to talk to people.
That same dog doesn’t always come right when I call.
When I get out on the water with a fly rod, I might spend as much time getting unhung or untangled as I do fishing.
I’m a bit surprised every time I hit a bird on the wing.
Nobody wants me blowing a duck call.
And every time a professor agrees to have coffee with me and talk a bit, my second thought (only after panicking about being double booked with something I forgot about) is how will I keep from saying something stupid.
At least part of the joy in watching the cattle graze is in knowing that they haven’t gotten out somewhere.
Being married to Heather is still a bit of a shock.
Same with being a dad to our six kids.
And now that we’ve bee on staff with Cru for fifteen years, all I can think is “Wow! If only they knew… “
But I guess they do know. It has to be obvious that at best, I’m just out here trying to create opportunities. Stirring up dust.
And constantly amazed at what God does.