As your eyes examine this post, another year will be coming to a close, and a time when many choose to Enjoy the Process of reflecting and evaluating the last 365 days; however, for most educators, I believe this contemplation occurs more often in August, in what Christina Bieber Lake coins “the month that shall not be named.” Regardless of whether this occurs in December or August, the rumination activity allows us the opportunity to gauge where we happen to be located on the Flourishing Continuum. And as educators, I hope we grasp the importance of understanding the process of how we arrived at our answer, just as a mathematics teacher needs to see the work, even when you calculate the correct answer.

Today, as I write during “the month that shall not be named,”after participating in a breakout session for our faculty workshop on the topic of the continuing renewal that can result from reading, I find myself deliberating the question, “Why should I continue to write?” At this present time, there is no thought, idea, or reflection that has not already been made by many authors much more articulate than me; those with an agile grace with their words that draws you in with a deep desire to learn more; or a gift for storytelling that keeps you perched on the edge of your seat. But after more than two years of composing twice-weekly posts for this blog, I’m not confident that an end is in sight. No conclusion to the research, no profound insights that will change the world, but and (Subtle Distinctions) I’m finding that I truly Enjoy the Process of synthesizing what I’m reading and becoming a caretaker of this information. Thank you for that articulation, Beth Madison and Ben Mitchell!

As I attempt to grasp the Life Lessons that the Lord is teaching me during this particular Season of Life about the importance of Finishing Well and Dying Empty, I must accept that the lessons may appear in 800-word segments and two-to-three-word titles; that’s just God’s unique method for making sure that I say, “Speak, Lord, I’m Listening!” It’s when these blog titles pop into my head, and I write them down, that I’m learning to give special attention, for it may not be considered by many as a Spiritual Discipline for practicing your faith, but I Enjoy the Process He enlists. Perhaps I will never become an expert on any of these concepts, perhaps a novice at many; but I am most assuredly Enjoying the Process of becoming a continuously learning student. It’s pretty fun, if you want to know the truth; maybe that’s why He chose a vocation in education for me!

In the meantime, as the two-to-three-word phrases continue to leap out at me from the wealth of knowledge to be found in Scripture, blogs, books, songs, and conversations, I will continue to implement the principles of Appreciative Inquiry, to Just Be Curious, and absorb all that this scrambled brain can handle. If someone can learn valuable lessons from all my pointless tinkering and Controlled Floundering, then perhaps that is truly the work of the Lord, not me!

As I focus on the personal, professional, and spiritual days ahead, as I engage with emerging generations asking Big Questions and attempting to serve as a mentor to them, I pray the Lord will provide me the ability to Take It Slow, that He will allow each of us to navigate how to live a Life of Legacy, defining for all of us as individuals how He characterizes our own unique Flourishing Life. May He reveal, through your own Strange Gifts, a clear vision of the specific purpose He has for you, and may we all be willing to share those gifts with others, to Be a Good Neighbor, to establish Relational Equity, and to pass critical knowledge on so that it is not lost in this world.

References:

Lake, C.B. (2020). The flourishing teacher: Vocational renewal for a sacred profession. IVP Press.

Parks, S.D. (2011). Big questions, worthy dreams: Mentoring emerging adults in their search for meaning, purpose, and faith. [Kindle version]. Jossey-Bass.