It is better t light a single candle

 No, I have not fallen off the planet.

Thanks for asking.

I haven’t posted on this blog since Lent. I wish I had a more interesting or urgent reason. But the truth of the matter is that it has been a matter of malaise. Pick a sphere of interest -- international news, domestic politics, state and local total absence of governmental leadership, the absolute abandonment of reason or decorum in the United Methodist Church at any level, the heat – it’s like doing the breaststroke in molasses. The word for the day on an ongoing basis seems to be, “Blah!”

Really articulate, huh?

One of my favorite cartoons from Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” has Charlie Brown approaching Linus at night. Linus is carrying a lone lighted candle. Charlie Brown asks, “What’s this?” Linus replies “I have heard that it is better t light a single candle than to curse the darkness.” As they depart, Charlie Brown remarks “That’s true…although there will always be those who will disagree with you.” Cut to the ever-crabby Lucy. “You stupid darkness!” She exclaims.

I have spent six-score weeks cursing the darkness. This is my feeble attempt to light a candle.

You see, I am an optimist by nature. That is not to say that I do not fall into deep gloom from time to time. But I eventually – eventually – shake it off and move on.

I am fond of Maltbie Davenport Babcock’s hymn, “This is My Father’s World.” The third stanza of that work begins,

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

So, trusting in that sentiment, today I put match to candle.

And try to swim against a tide of molasses.