Today we thank you, O God, for the linguistic discovery I have made. I wondered where all the “R”s on the end of words went when I would hear people talk in Massachusetts. I finally found them. They’d moved to Australia. I didn’t realize the words “Thank you” had an R sound. Amen.
Author: Aaron
Today we thank you, O God, for pastors and new friends who randomly text you and say, “Come to lunch with me tomorrow.” Yes, I spent the night laying awake thinking, “What did I do wrong?” and “What is she going to ask me to do?” Yes, that was ridiculous. It was just lunch, and it was fun and lovely and included fried okra. Very very nice. Amen.
Today we thank you, O God, for Beethoven. And in particular, for the weird experience of playing Piano Sonata 14 for the first time in its original key, after learning it twenty years ago half a step down, for some inexplicable reason. 3 flats “felt” easier than four sharps, I guess? Tripping over my own fingers had me doubled over in laughter. Amen.
Today we thank you, O God, for the color orange. Amen.
Today we thank you, O God, that I was smart enough to check if the washing machine drain hose went anywhere before running it. It does. On the floor. Dodged that one! Amen.
Today we thank you, O God, for the questionable joy of learning to eat Indian curry with my fingers. Could have done without accidentally pouring it down my white shirt, though. Also I think I need to wash my hands again. And again. Amen.
Today we thank you, O God, that even when I’m not feeling particularly patriotic, my students will still take any reason to celebrate with food. In this case, BBQ ribs. Because America. Amen.
(They forced me to take the pictures.)
Today we thank you, O God, for the Rev. Dr. Sivin Kit. Some professors are good at their field, and others are fun to be around. He managed to be both. The Semenari Theoloji Malaysia community will miss his theology and ethics, but especially his presence as a friend. And now I don’t know who I’ll get to take me to lunch when I’m feeling the 9,000 miles between me and home! Safe travels, Sivin. I can’t wait to see what the Holy Spirit does “in, with, and under” you at the Luther World Federation in Geneva. Amen.
Today we thank you, O God, that my music studies were actually useful in a lecture! And also for that feeling of joy when all the post-lecture questions are ones you can answer, even if you blather a bit while doing it. Amen.