I’ve been trying to decide how I’m going to talk about this season of life, and I’m still undecided. That means (I think) that for a while I’ll be using this space to tell stories about the work I am doing with my wife Christy, and to share reflections I have on what I’m learning through the work. Perhaps at some point on of those forms will take over. Of course, I’ll likely also have some odd side paths along the way as well.
This blog has existed for a long time, but it hasn’t had a very clear purpose. I’ve used it to share work I had done in my role as a Pastor, to give me a place to put pieces I gathered up while doing side projects as a speaker, and to just ruminate on things. If you’re reading this, you’re probably either someone who knows me personally (Hi, Mom!) or you ran across one of these periodic pieces on church life in modern America or on disability and theology. From now on, though, this blog is going to have a more specific focus and purpose. I want this space to increase the appreciation of people who aren’t “normal” (some of you know this is one of my least-favorite words) and how their lives weave into the everyday of American culture. However, these people don’t need me to speak for them or to represent them, and that’s not what I intend to do. Instead, I want to use this place to document my learning experience – as I learn about the people I work for and with, and learn from them, I want to put those lessons here.
This is really a blog about me learning the ways that I’m growing by the grace of being in community with people who have typically been put at the margins of our society. You might learn something from it, too, and that’s great. Or you might be able to teach me other lessons, and that’s great too. You might just choose to cheer me on, and I’d take that, because we all need encouragement, don’t we?
So thanks for reading, and I want to really encourage you to share your comments. You’re not reading the writings of an expert or guru. I’m a traveler, and I’d love your input on the journey.
Thanks. More to come, soon.
Brandon Woosley 