I Samuel

Wednesdays at lunch Katherine Martin leads a women's Bible study at Pearce Memorial Church at the other end of campus. Several women from the library attend, and I have always appreciated hearing Katherine teach. I don't usually attend chapel either, but Katherine's husband, John Martin, the president of RWC/NES was speaking. So I decided to make it a double header day and catch them both.



John's study was from James 1, and he was encouraging students to become all that they could be not just mentally, but in how their understanding affects their actions. You can be smart as Merthiolate, but if you don't do anything with your brainpower, you will not reach your potential. He urged students to be transformers of society by developing their Christianity in practical ways. Kudos for teaching something useful.

Then on to the Bible study. Katherine has been enduring a difficult case of shingles, and is still in a great deal of pain despite nerve blockers and pain meds and weeks of discomfort. I feel for her, admire her bravery in trying to continue functioning as best she can under health defiant circumstances.

She had prepared study outlines, asking thought provoking questions, given us a list of resources to consult (Omitting her husband's articles published in Biblioteca Sacra back in the 80s). Ah, let a librarian get involved, and the resources become much richer! We talked our way from Genesis to Judges, engaging in the "big picture" of Scriptural history. A humble beginning, yet necessary in laying the foundation for future discussions.

We close with prayers all around, supporting one another and Katherine in the ups and downs of life. Here a cancer patient, there a death in the family, here a financial crisis, there a broken heart. We come together to share our sorrows, celebrate our joys. I know some of these women from the last time I lived here, some from my work at Roberts, some I just met, others I have yet to meet. But there is a togetherness that begins to develop as we bow in prayer and listen to Ruth offer up our concerns to the Almighty Father.

I have not mentioned my own concerns, the scans of recent days, the upcoming tests, the nagging thought that Yale was not totally off base and that there is stuff to be dealt with. I quietly mention it to my Father while still tuned in to others around me who are also fighting battles.

Yes, it is good to be a part of this lunch time Bible study. I will draw strength here, I will drink at this well and be refreshed. Next week we fly through the first seven chapters. I certainly have my work cut out for me!

Murder on Union Avenue

I saw it with my own eyes. I could hardly believe it. It was evening, about nine pm, and very dark. I was coming home from the library late shift. He ran right out into the road without looking, and the car in front of me hit him. I watched horrified as he smacked into the back left tire and bounced neatly backwards, the breath knocked out of him. He seemed only stunned, except that I knew the impact was too much to survive. The only sound had been a quiet little bump. No time for anything else. One minute he was racing across the street, the next minute he was lying on the yellow median lines, eyes vacant, not breathing.

There was no blood or guts splattered about. The body was intact. The SUV slowed and pulled into the apartment complex drive, hesitating, unsure. I had slammed on the brakes, and sat in the turn lane, waiting to see what the driver would do. We both looked at the dead body, and I was struck by the blackness of the circles around his eyes, the softness of the rings on his tail. Poor little raccoon. He would steal no more from any garbage cans or dumpsters. His days were done.

The car that had hit him pulled slowly from the drive and continued on his way. I pulled into the drive and wobbled my way over the speed bumps, reflecting on the unpredictable and fine line between life and death. It was sobering, even though it was only a raccoon. Life is so fragile. I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving, gathered up my backpack and purse, and climbed the steps to my apartment. Onward to more productive things like making dinner. I wondered briefly if raccoon tastes like chicken, then dismissed the thought as silly. Tonight is baked potato night anyway.

Coming Up for Air

Today, Northeastern Seminary sponsored a Women's Conference - Gender and the Bible. I wanted to go, but not for reasons of feminist interest. I wanted to connect with women of high education and moral standards, to rub shoulders with people on a level beyond myself, to challenge and encourage and get my mind off the mundane picayune problems into a more elevated pursuit of loftier aspirations.

I had every intention of catching all the seminars that happened before I had to be at work at 1. I had signed up for the luncheon with a keynote speaker from Gordon Conwell seminary (and I was a bit intrepid since I have heard of them, and some of the stories were pretty leftist.). But life pulled and pushed, and I only got to go to the luncheon. (literally, I spent half the morning at the lab trying to give them enough blood for the tests the doctor had ordered. They must have stuck me dozens of times, all to no avail. My arms ache horribly. They finally took it from my wrist, with severe warnings not to try this at home).

The glimpse was enough. Our accomplished speaker spoke 17 languages, had published many books, had worked with and launched a number of non-profit organizations to help abused women, was a humanitarian. She had a doctoral degree and had taught for many years. She was engaging, witty, with a charming sense of humor, and most of all, encouraging. AND she was not young. You get to a point in your life when you think you are over the hill and have nothing more to offer, especially when those around you have no vision, can't see what you are working so hard to accomplish.

But today was like coming up for a breath of fresh air, seeing the possibilities, getting a second wind, pulling up out of the mire and muck and trying again. Telling yourself that you are neither crazy nor too old, but merely needing to persevere. It will be OK. Others have gone before to blaze the way. If they can do it, so can I despite all weights and hindrances.

So I take a deep breath and put my hands to the wheel. Tomorrow I will renew my efforts to establish Jairus House. Even if I don't get the whole ball of wax, I can get enough momentum going until its a downhill race.