A humdinger of a wingding

This title actually has nothing whatsoever to do with this post, but these words seemed to fit together so nicely that I thought it best not to pass up the opportunity to string them together in such a form. That, and of course, you’re always supposed to have catchy opening line – right?

It turns out that “wingding” is defined as a wild party in my dictionary, which is too bad. I prefer to define this interesting word as any old gathering of good-natured people who happen to be enjoying themselves and each other.

Quite a few years ago, my wife and I were invited to a Christmas party organized by a group of senior citizens at our church. And that happy event would certainly have qualified. I’ll always remember it. Those old-timers knew how to laugh and have a really good time.

Moving right along.

It goes without saying, that Career & Life Direction is not likely the center of anyone’s universe; I would be worried if it was. And yet, perhaps I should offer a word of explanation for my prolonged absence from this website. It has been quite a while since I have added anything at all to this online resource.

My last article featured seven Christian recording artists in Canada and highlighted the importance of encouragement in their lives. In an attempt to provide more exposure to everyone involved, this project was also eventually published in another online venue. This whole endeavor was a major ordeal, and I with all my other responsibilities, frankly, wore me out.

Working crazy hours and trying to work on all of this at the same time was too much. But such is life. It is humbling to be human and to have limits.

Having said that, I really enjoyed reading the stories each artist sent in and appreciated their involvement. And I hope that you did too. Jennifer Jade Kerr, Dan Bremnes, Marika Siewert, Colin Bernard, Amy Degenais, Stephanie Israelson, and Chelsea Amber have all benefited from having people in their lives who encouraged them to develop their musical potential. And now, we can all benefit from listening to their music.

And while this project was tiring and time-consuming I don’t regret it. For it fit in nicely with my own mission-statement, providing one specific and tangible way to accomplish my stated goal, which is:

“To help restore Western civilization as a light in God’s world by encouraging the development of healthy and growing Christian communities and expanding the influence of Christian individuals and organizations. And, at the same time, to encourage everyone else to develop their own God-given potential for the common good.” Basically, I am trying to help good things grow.

It was my wise wife who suggested, in an off-hand remark, that perhaps I should take on such a project. So I did. And I am glad that I did. She actually recently finished her own recording project, and I now know a little more about what it takes to make good music. Perhaps I will say more about her project another time. But I will say this: Making a CD requires a massive amount of effort.

Making music certainly isn’t easy. Like so many other things in life, you never really know exactly what is involved – or how difficult it is – until you give give it a try. From a distance, things sometimes look easy and straightforward. But usually only from a distance. So it goes.

Your calling and mine will likely require all that we’ve got to give.

Living with limits

Do you have a clear view of yourself?

Helen Keller experienced it. Mozart did too. The apostle Paul had to deal with it. And then there was Moses. They all had to live with significant, and even serious, problems and limitations.

They couldn’t hear or see or talk – or at least not very well. They had obvious problems. Limits. It must have been embarrassing and frustrating, difficult and depressing. No, they probably didn’t like it. Not one bit. It must have felt like more than they could manage; it was too much at times. But, they had to learn how to limp along and make do. They had to keep on trying and living just the same. And do you know what? So do you.

But be encouraged. Most everyone has to face something painful and difficult – that just will not go away. If it isn’t in the past it will be in the future. Weakness has a way of making itself known. And it isn’t just you. No, you are not alone. The “beautiful” people have issues to. The healthy aren’t whole in every way. Your friend or co-worker who appears to be popular and successful is limited somehow. Count on it. Learn to look beyond the surface. Nobody has it all together, or at least not for long. Everyone is messed-up and mixed-up and lacking to some extent. When Mr. Wonderful gets home and is all alone…the cracks begin to show.