Good bye to 2003…

This has been the longest break I’ve taken from writing in this weblog since I began to do so, back in March. I almost would have guessed that I’d have had more time to write, given that we’re on break, but I descended into the depths of a miserable cold/virus and am only now emerging. It’s been a peaceful time spent at home, curled up with good books and good movies. I wish I could say the same for the rest of the world! Earthquakes, fires, war… my hope and prayer for 2004 is that we will find a way to come to deeper empathy for each other. I’ve been slowly working my way through all of the Lord of the Rings extended edition movies. They’re so interesting, and SO well done! And they make me yearn for the kind of close companionship across boundaries, across deep divides, that sustains the fellowship. Will we be able to find a way to imagine ourselves into such fellowship? Will we be able to recognize the depths of sin in our own hearts, and the necessity of reaching out to hold onto that which is good in each of us? I hope so. I pray so. These movies help me to imagine the possibility, now I have to make it more real in my life.