Titus Benton
Titus lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with his pretty wife Kari, adorable daughter Nora, and handsome son Malachi. He has worked in Student Ministry for 9 years in part- or full-time roles. He contributes to http://www.teensundayschool.com. When not cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals, he enjoyes listening to country music, eating greasy food, and reading John Grisham novels.
Now and Then
- By Titus Benton
- Published 07/22/2008
I just completed a compelling read. Sandwiched between The Heart of Whiteness and The Wal-Mart Effect in my stack of books to read was a little memoir called Now and Then by the great Frederick Buechner. Of all the worthwhile things included in it's 107 pages, perhaps the most encouraging was his reflection upon a lecture he gave at Harvard (and I suspect, subsequently, at other institutions) which later became a published work as well entitled The Alphabet of Grace.
The premise, though simple, was simply extraordinary. As I read it I felt like I often feel when I read a book by a master word-smith--that the emotions and instincts that I have deep inside have been articulated by someone who has similar feelings but far more expertise in describing them. He was pointing out that it is the small moments of life that construct grace for us from God. Like A, B, C, D, E, and the 21 other letters of the alphabet are paired up and ordered to make meaningful words, phrases, and sentences, the monotony of life is compiled and constructed by God to make Himself known to us.
Today I brushed my teeth, I drank a cup of coffee, I listened to an encouraging song on iTunes, I held my son, I made my wife dinner.
Individually, they mean little. Combined, they are grace to me.
Today I organized teams for camp next week. I ate lunch with friends. I read a Frederick Buechner book. On their own, each is unimpressive. Stacked on top one another I was edified and used of God.
Sometimes I, like everyone, get caught up in the complexities of life. But there is beauty in my 1994 pick-up truck. There is peace in the silence of my house just now, the only sound the pecking of my fingers on the keyboard. God is not absent from these simple things. Instead, He weaves His way in and out, bent upon making Himself known to me.
I agree with Buechner It is only now and then that I recognize Him here, in my coming in and going out. Still I'm comforted to know that His presence is not necessitated by my recognition of it.
The premise, though simple, was simply extraordinary. As I read it I felt like I often feel when I read a book by a master word-smith--that the emotions and instincts that I have deep inside have been articulated by someone who has similar feelings but far more expertise in describing them. He was pointing out that it is the small moments of life that construct grace for us from God. Like A, B, C, D, E, and the 21 other letters of the alphabet are paired up and ordered to make meaningful words, phrases, and sentences, the monotony of life is compiled and constructed by God to make Himself known to us.
Today I brushed my teeth, I drank a cup of coffee, I listened to an encouraging song on iTunes, I held my son, I made my wife dinner.
Individually, they mean little. Combined, they are grace to me.
Today I organized teams for camp next week. I ate lunch with friends. I read a Frederick Buechner book. On their own, each is unimpressive. Stacked on top one another I was edified and used of God.
Sometimes I, like everyone, get caught up in the complexities of life. But there is beauty in my 1994 pick-up truck. There is peace in the silence of my house just now, the only sound the pecking of my fingers on the keyboard. God is not absent from these simple things. Instead, He weaves His way in and out, bent upon making Himself known to me.
I agree with Buechner It is only now and then that I recognize Him here, in my coming in and going out. Still I'm comforted to know that His presence is not necessitated by my recognition of it.
Spread The Word
Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Will Penner)
I really, really like this post. It resonates with me. Thanks, bro.
