First blog post – PappawPyle’s Perusals
So, about what will PappawPyle peruse? This and that, and everything else, I suppose. I foresee topics ranging from family to politics to sports to faith to . . . you name it. At first blush, I can think of few things which will be outside my purview in this regard. I’m even open to reader suggestions if you care to offer them.
Front of mind today is the need to focus. Too many times I tend to bounce from crisis to crisis, putting out fires. “Keeping the lights on,” sometimes results in failure to focus on the important. The term coined decades ago, “tyranny of the urgent,” is too often the master of my schedule. Sometimes that is due to running off after, “squirrels,” as my wife can attest is my tendency. In short, it is a periodic failure to focus.
For instance, right now – what is the most important thing I should be doing? One might say I am doing part of it now. I am writing to help get myself into the habit and to begin the process of getting some work published. First up is a children’s book series I have begun but which I have yet to complete and submit for publication. By the end of this week, I will have it ready to submit somewhere. I guess I need to figure out where and put together a book series proposal, too.
Another important duty is to prepare my lesson plans to start off the new semester next week. I teach English IV at a local high school and I will see my students off into their futures in a few months. I want to encourage those who already get it, who understand usage of the language is important. I also hope to ignite in some others a sense of caring how they express themselves. Also, I want to help them navigate the perilous waters of their teen years in the public school system in safety.
But this blog is the third of the important things
I needed to do today. You see, the Lord has gifted me with writing ability, which I have used in business and posting on Facebook. Yet, I’ve never used to its fullest extent. With the Lord’s blessing is upon it. With the Lord’s blessing upon it, may I bless others with my writing.
I’ve also started a podcast about eighteen months ago. At first it has consisted of reading stories for my grandkids to hear and singing some songs for them. The hope is that it could lead to voice-over work, a field in which I have long felt I could be useful. I’m figuring out how to proceed with that and hope soon to be more active for the benefit of my family and their kids. Where it leads to from there, we’ll see. After a strong beginning, I have let that languish. I need to get back to that.
Finally, I need to address something I’ve heard from others and known for years myself. Our Youth Associate Pastor (Josh Satterfield) spoke on this one Sunday last year. It is vital, that I spend more time hearing from God. I haven’t exactly kept Him at arm’s length, but I have not been as attentive to His Word and to Him as I need to be. So, in all my considerations and plans, I commit to seeking Him first and to follow hard after all His ways.
That’s what this is about. Not exactly a journal, but more of a journey. Hope you’ll enjoy going along with me!
