far from normal

Back again, blog in hand, so to speak.

Ash Wednesday. Lent begins today, a 40-day season of reflection and consideration ... a period devoted (ideally) to spiritual introspection and expressions toward faithful expansion.

In a month ... a month from tomorrow, in fact ... a group from Geist will be headed southward, this time to Port Arthur/Beaumont, to assist as we can with the rebuilding and recovery post-Hurricane Rita.

Over the course of the next month (plus change) ... for my own personal discipline, and by way of reminder, refresher and preparation for this coming mission ... I'm reviving the when did we see you weblog. In an effort to recall that -- while we have continued to whirl in our own circles of self-interest -- many remain uncertain of the safety and health of family ... the security and condition of damaged homes ... or the likelihood of even being able to use that word, 'home,' in the same way again.

So ... perhaps daily, perhaps every few ... I'll be sharing a story, article, commentary, link, audio file, etc., that catches my attention ... offers insight and wisdom ... prepares us to travel and serve ... whatever.

Michele Norris of NPR caught my ear today. She talked about the clean-up after last night's final Mardi Gras festivities in the streets of New Orleans. She said that clean up didn't happen the way it normally did ... "But you know," she said, "there's so much here that's so far from normal."

Please feel free to leave comments (click the word 'comments' at the end of any entry). Offer your own remarks, post a link to something that's captured YOU, whatever you'd like ... just connect with us!

Thank you for being part of this journey ... in September, in November, this spring, and in the future. Should nothing else hold true, one reliable remnant of this vast national experience -- the complete reach of which is far beyond anything we can imagine -- is the understanding that we absolutely, positively, must do all we can to nurture, challenge, and value community. We have to.

The alternative is even more devastating than any storm could ever be.