I’m Ready, with a lot of help from my friends!

One of those friends is a brilliant biblical scholar and theologian named Walter Brueggemann who wrote, among a whole bunch of other things, a book called Finally Comes the Poet. I can’t actually find the book right now as our library sorting system is in the midst of considerable revision.

Trust me, though, when I tell you that he was saying something very close to the truth of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes who said:

My friends, do not lose heart. We were born for these times.

And the amazing writer, Anne Lamott, claims that we are chosen, safe, and loved. (Well, she was actually talking about Sunday School kids but I suspect she’d count us in!)

And I, much to my amazement, claimed yesterday, in a meeting with one of my teachers, that I am ready.

I didn’t get here on my own. Wise friends like these have helped immeasurably along the way. In fact, this feels a bit like the bibliography of my life.

Shiloh Sophia and Jonathan McCloud, along with all the Intentional Creativity® gang.

Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy, aka SARK, who made space for me to learn and opened the door to what came next.

Julie Steelman and Sam Bennett. Veronica Guzzardi, possibly the most patient tech teacher I have ever known.

Robby and Les and Henry and Ron. Phil and Gary and David and Dana and an 8 year old boy in Hungary whose name I never learned to pronounce or spell.

Kathy and Peggy and Jean who put up with me when I was still a teenager.

And, in a round about way, Dave and Kelly and Kenzie and Taylor. And the Newf Rescue kids. All of them.

I am, I guess, a charter member of the Life is for Learning club.

I suspect that you suspected all that. You may, however, be wondering what it was that caused me to proclaim that I am ready.

Good question!

Well, I’m ready to be seen. In Zoom land, even. Growing edges and pandemic hair and all. Even encouraging others to try some of the things I’ve learned. It’s worth letting go of the camera phobia!

You see, there’s just no way for me to be me and not try to make a difference in the world because it is such a time. We need the poets, and artists, and musicians.

And I need a nap.

I seem to have spent today’s early hours sorting mental index cards. My Muse insisted. (It might really be time to think about getting her a room of her own!)

Then I cranked up the heat a smidge and sent an email that adds action to yesterday’s proclamation that I am ready. I’ll fill you in as we go along. Let’s just say that empowered images will surely be involved!

We also need the real science scientists, which is just going to have to be somebody else’s job.

We need those who know that imagination and the rule of law are both required for leadership and that they’re not interchangeable.

All of which is way more than I can fix on my own. So, while I’m writing postcards to Georgia voters, I’m also finalizing plans for two webinars and the workshops to follow. From materials lists, which I do understand, to prayer dots, which I depend on, to electronic carts, which I don’t understand in the least (but have friends who do!) I’m ready.

I so hope you’re ready, too!

And don’t forget to ask me what I learned from Meryl Streep Monday night…

ps… the artwork is a glimpse from my Legend-in-Progress painting. For those who are new around here, one of the best things I learned in seminary is that the same Hebrew word means both hand and power!