Once upon a time, there was an introvert who wanted to share her thoughts with like-minded (and other) people. Just the other day, she was writing testimonies for the church bulletin and short stories for her community college creative writing class. Just the other day, inspired by the encouraging feedback, she started a blog, and posted a few articles. 

And then, just the other day, life happened, and she stopped posting. Fear, busyness, surgeries, career changes, family emergencies… So many things got in the way. She found herself writing research papers for her master’s degree, case studies for her chaplaincy residency program, and documentation for hospital and hospice patient visits. 

Just the other day. Has it really been almost six years?

Since that “other day,” I’ve learned that earning a master’s degree in theology leaves you with more questions than answers (and that’s probably as it should be). Pursuing a pastor’s license does not make you any more spiritual than you were before (although it does tend to constrain one’s more colorful vocabulary choices). Theology and doctrine are necessary, but not necessarily sufficient for being hammered into a fledgling chaplain; being a “trained professional” is equally helpful-but-not when the patients are family members facing life-threatening situations.

I have a lot to talk about. I promise not to wait so long next time.