Another semester begins...

...but not just another semester. When we last left the academic calendar at the University of Alabama, the school and its surroundings were in chaos. The city of Tuscaloosa had just been ravaged by a monster tornado and any idea of rebuilding was almost inconceivable. The day after the tornado, the school announced an early end to spring semester. And the process of picking up the pieces began.

From what I can tell, amazing progress has been made over the summer. There is a long way to go, but we have learned that our state and the city are both filled with resilient people. And more importantly, there is a big, big God watching over us and leading the healing process.

So tomorrow, classes begin again. And another step in the healing process commences. No doubt it will be a hard day for many students and faculty. I pray for them that God would fill them with grace and a sense of his comfort as they try to build a "new normal".

And I also pray for my three nieces who are students there. I am so proud of them. From the moment the tornado struck, I started hearing from them nothing but compassion for their neighbors and fellow students. Their heart is in their chosen city, and it shows.

So tomorrow they begin classes. For two of them, it is the 4th year of college and so they enter the home stretch of their chosen fields of study. They are beginning to think about the implications for their careers - classes are not just classes anymore. For the youngest, she enters her second year and begins to move from freshman requirements into classes that are more relevant to her field. I pray for God to give them a sense of calm and the fact that he is in control of their futures.

For all of them, they continue to navigate the the dangerous waters of living for Christ in the midst of college hedonism. We all know that college is a place where so many young people exercise their new found freedom to live for themselves and, more specifically, their pleasure. Yes, it's a dangerous place for students who are not connected to the Vine, drawing their life daily from their relationship with Christ. But for those who are connected.... What. An. Opportunity. They can be the light of the world in the darkest of rooms, and make such a difference for friends who desperately need light.

And so I pray for Tuscaloosa. And I pray for the student body of the University. And mostly I pray for these three students whom I love so much. May you stay connected to your life source. May you stay close to friends are also connected. And may you do so in a way that spreads God's grace among your other friends, not bringing harsh judgment to them but the love of God.

Just like your aunt/mother did 30 years ago. I am so proud of you. May God grant you an amazing year.

And roll tide.

Crazy Don

“I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." (Malachi 3:6)

Wednesday afternoon about 2:30. Am moment that I'm sure led my staff to think, "What the heck?"

I was in transition from one meeting with some higher management to another. The problem was this: The first meeting had run overtime and (to my dismay) I had decided to print some stuff for the second meeting between meetings. Yep, that was my own fault and yes it was because I am a world-class procrastinator.

So there I was, charging back to my office to print the exhibits. But when I had sent the print job, I realized that in my haste I had printed the whole 10 page document instead of the single page I wanted. 11 copies. So there I was printing 110 pages instead of the eleven I intended.

Wasted paper. And having to wait for that many pages to print. All while the other meeting was starting.

Yeah, I panicked. I stormed around telling everybody what I had done, and how frustrated I was. It must have been quite a sight...especially for our new staff member who had been there less than a week. "What have I gotten myself into??"

Everyone else was calm, a staff member offered to sort the exhibits and bring me the page I needed, and everything was ok. Of course. When I got back from the meeting I informed everyone that "crazy Don" was gone and "normal Don" was back.
___________________

The next morning I was reading a devotional from Max Lucado. The theme was God's unchanging nature and he made this point:

Catch God in a bad mood? Won't happen. Fear exhausting his grace? A sardine will swallow the Atlantic first...He's never sullen or sour, sulking or stressed. His strength, truth, ways, and love never change.

 The more I know about God, the more aware you are of how short I fall. I am so glad that my Creator is not like me. Yes, there is a crazy Don and a normal Don. I like to think people can count on me, but I have moods. Not God. His unchanging character is something we can all count on. For all eternity. And that's something to be excited about.

An annual reminder...

Remembering is a good thing. Especially when you use it to make a difference in how you live your life going forward. Our nation honors its past with various days set aside to do just that. For example we have Memorial Day and Veterans Day to celebrate the lives of those who have sacrificed themselves for our freedom. One day to celebrate multiple people. To look back and to look forward.

50 years ago today my sister Kim was born. Fifteen years ago tonight she went to be with the Lord, as I talk about in this post from last year.

Kim and me at a church homecoming lunch

The next year, I started a tradition of taking this day off work, to honor her, yes, but at least for a few years it was to help me deal with my thoughts and emotions. I just needed the time to be alone rather than deal with work.

Over time it developed into something better, something that I think is actually healthy. My boss (and friend) Wyman encouraged me in this. He kept saying that I need to be looking at the day as a celebration of her life and her birthday, not a focus on her death. He was (and is) right. But it has become even more than that - something that I would encourage you to think about.

Since then, I have had more losses, including my mother and my oldest niece Holly. And I began to realize what this day could be. Just as our nation has set aside a Memorial Day, I have set aside August 15 as my "Personal Memorial Day". A day when I remember not only Kim but others I love who have passed on from this life. Remembering their life, their love, all the good times with them, what they taught me about life, and how I should live going forward because of their influence.

This may not work for everyone. But it seems to work for the country and it has become a very helpful thing for me.

A personal memorial day. Today. I remember...and I love you all.

So cool...

My family is so cool:

@HaleyPannoneHaley Pannone

@Cknman watching Elite 11 QB camp on espnu. I am loving Jameis Winston. Attitude, personality, talent- He's great. #yalljusthadtostealhim ;)

I love so much about my family. The way we have stayed close over the years, through some very difficult and tragic circumstances. The fact that we still hang out as much as possible despite busy lives going in separate directions. This goes almost without saying.


But when I read this tweet last night, it hit me afresh. My niece...tweeting a friend who she knows because of me...about football. No, not just about football, but about a show on high school quarterbacks and congratulating him on their school getting the kid.


The other night, she and another niece began tweeting about the opening of the NFL preseason. It brought a smile to my face.


Yes, the family the prays together stays together. And at the center of our being as a famiiy, that's who we are. But playing together doesn't hurt either.