Steve -- Thanks for writing. I've enjoyed the "free" version for some months now, having been pointed your direction by my son, Fr Dcn Aaron Taylor. I appreciate the perspective of someone around my age (75.5), and today's piece was especially touching. The photo of your check register looks exactly like my father-in-law's (deceased 10 years now) account book, and it's similar to my wife's handwriting toward the end. She died a year-and-a-half ago with dementia, but both she and her dad had ET as well. Keep talking to us. You're blessing folks. Stephen Taylor
I see much of myself in the hard truths you express here. You specialized in the journey of discovery, something some specialists have never attempted to do, and who end their lives, oddly, accomplishing less.
Appreciate this reflection. I've definitely been more of a "Jack of some trades" and master of none myself. Dropped out of high school and got my GED. No college; a couple years of bible school. Even at what's typically considered the midpoint, my life has been fuller than it's had any right to be. I've traveled more than the average bear. I've been a pizza delivery guy, had various hotel jobs, been a forklift driver, a sales rep, collections agent, missionary, IT professional, car washer, commercial painter, delivery driver, hospital transporter, bartender and on and on. I've, in turns, made good money, minimum wage and lived off the kindness of others. Life has taken so many unexpected turns and so much is not what I'd imagined it'd be. But, I wouldn't trade any of it. I've had to come to terms with the fact that 'average Christian' is about the best I can hope for as well, and I'm learning to be ok with that too.
Just had hand surgery. So appreciate your insights! Love the list of things done with your hands given by your maker. Precious things -wiped a tear…. Grateful for you big brotha. God is using a ou to help me on my journey… keep writing!
An interesting reflection that I'll ponder upon. And I do hope that you won't require surgery to regain some use of your hands! You'll be in my prayers!
“My world is not smaller because I am not a master, it is expanded because I see more clearly the work, skill, technicality, and beauty of the work. Breadth and shallowness have made me more capable of awe and gratitude for their beauty and what little beauty I am capable of creating.”
Ages ago a music professor scolded me because I couldn’t decide: focus on music history? Theory? Performance? It was all incredibly tremendous! How could I choose? She said I’d only amount to a dilettante.
So I’m a bit of a Jack of a couple trades…sometimes I bemoan my lack of in depth skill but cannot decide what to cut out so I can become an expert at something. Then I try to fit inside my own life and simply be good at that, and enjoy all the things I enjoy. And not worry about it. Glory to God! I’ll let Him be the true expert at all things…
Modern education and modern life doesn’t have a spot for folks like us … yet the world loves us cuz we fit in everywhere and in every conversation! Alone, I continue to cry to God hoping He knows what to do with my ocean of tears.
Steve -- Thanks for writing. I've enjoyed the "free" version for some months now, having been pointed your direction by my son, Fr Dcn Aaron Taylor. I appreciate the perspective of someone around my age (75.5), and today's piece was especially touching. The photo of your check register looks exactly like my father-in-law's (deceased 10 years now) account book, and it's similar to my wife's handwriting toward the end. She died a year-and-a-half ago with dementia, but both she and her dad had ET as well. Keep talking to us. You're blessing folks. Stephen Taylor
I see much of myself in the hard truths you express here. You specialized in the journey of discovery, something some specialists have never attempted to do, and who end their lives, oddly, accomplishing less.
Appreciate this reflection. I've definitely been more of a "Jack of some trades" and master of none myself. Dropped out of high school and got my GED. No college; a couple years of bible school. Even at what's typically considered the midpoint, my life has been fuller than it's had any right to be. I've traveled more than the average bear. I've been a pizza delivery guy, had various hotel jobs, been a forklift driver, a sales rep, collections agent, missionary, IT professional, car washer, commercial painter, delivery driver, hospital transporter, bartender and on and on. I've, in turns, made good money, minimum wage and lived off the kindness of others. Life has taken so many unexpected turns and so much is not what I'd imagined it'd be. But, I wouldn't trade any of it. I've had to come to terms with the fact that 'average Christian' is about the best I can hope for as well, and I'm learning to be ok with that too.
Just had hand surgery. So appreciate your insights! Love the list of things done with your hands given by your maker. Precious things -wiped a tear…. Grateful for you big brotha. God is using a ou to help me on my journey… keep writing!
Danny
This is so beautifully expressed. I really relate to so much of what you are saying. I am sorry about your hands. Thank you do much for writing this.
beautiful reflections - thank you for sharing.
An interesting reflection that I'll ponder upon. And I do hope that you won't require surgery to regain some use of your hands! You'll be in my prayers!
This:
“My world is not smaller because I am not a master, it is expanded because I see more clearly the work, skill, technicality, and beauty of the work. Breadth and shallowness have made me more capable of awe and gratitude for their beauty and what little beauty I am capable of creating.”
Ages ago a music professor scolded me because I couldn’t decide: focus on music history? Theory? Performance? It was all incredibly tremendous! How could I choose? She said I’d only amount to a dilettante.
So I’m a bit of a Jack of a couple trades…sometimes I bemoan my lack of in depth skill but cannot decide what to cut out so I can become an expert at something. Then I try to fit inside my own life and simply be good at that, and enjoy all the things I enjoy. And not worry about it. Glory to God! I’ll let Him be the true expert at all things…
Thanks for your beautiful reflection, Steve.
Modern education and modern life doesn’t have a spot for folks like us … yet the world loves us cuz we fit in everywhere and in every conversation! Alone, I continue to cry to God hoping He knows what to do with my ocean of tears.