Faith, Family and Glass

I have three great passions in my life: as expressed in the title of this post: Faith, Family and Glass. My faith has played a role in my career choice all of my adult life. But there have been times when my career as a pastor has had a negative effect on my faith. It is easy to get all wrapped up in the politics of church and lose sight of the reason (at least it is for me) of why I am there to begin with. Then I begin to see God clearly again through all the muck and the mire of playing church and faith becomes rekindled and see how this is all supposed to work. I must admit I am worried about the church with all the changes that have occurred during my time in ministry and I have to confess my generation of pastoral leadership has failed to move the churches we have served  (for the most part) to keep up with our changing  culture expecting things to keep on in the same manner as they were handed off to us more than 30 years ago. I do remain hopeful with the new leadership I see emerging trying to move the church forward. In spite of everything I remain a person of faith. I will continue my walk with God the rest of my life.
Since I have become a grandfather I have seen my family expand in many ways. Reconnecting with extended family and seeing my roots in some new ways has been increasingly important. I recently went through the county seat where my father was born and discovered some things I never knew about my family on my father's side because he talked about it in bits and pieces and I never got the full story. I never knew the great deal of respect his family had in the community he grew up. I heard stories of how difficult it was growing up through the depression and how tough it was being a kid in his hometown. I didn't hear about legacy of his grandfather and great-grandfather had left with the life they lived. I guess he always wanted us to make our own way in life rather than be thought of as people of privilege. That is what I believe I have passed down to my children as well because I learned it from my father.
Glass is something I have discovered on my own. It has not been passed down to me but I picked it up because I needed a venue in which to express myself outside of my faith and family. I keep finding new and more expressive ways to express my many moods and emotions through the medium of glass. It is the most creative thing I do, and I am constantly learning new approaches to this amazing material. Since I have been working with glass I have seen my creativity expand and develop and it has helped me to explore new areas of life and help develop my other passions. I have now learned why the arts are so important to young people. The arts serve to aid other areas of life as one develops and moves from childhood to adolescence and finally into adulthood.
I since I have been working with glass I and surprised how every piece has turned out. It continues to surprise me in so many ways.