Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Takin' Care of Business

I'm listening to a book on CD right now, entitled Next, by the late Michael Crichton.  The characters are a little thin, but I always find his stuff entertaining.  I also continue to be amazed at how consistently people are either good at writing about life, or else they are good at living it.  It's pretty unusual to find anyone good at both.

Crichton, who succumbed to throat cancer and passed away about a month ago, was a pretty intelligent writer.  He stayed up on his scientific thinking and did a good job spinning fantastic tales about the impending dangers of irresponsible scientific tinkering.  He also enjoyed taking pot shots at pet topics like environmenatlism, political correctness, religion, and anti-smoking activists (he smoked for years until the birth of his only child a few years ago).  Listening to this particular book, I have noticed a pretty strong tendency to objectify women, and discovered a pretty consistent portrayal of marriage as an inconvenient arrangement.  I mean nobody in this book is happily married.  I was not surprised to find that he went through FIVE wives in his lifetime. 

Which brings me to my point.  People are usually either good at living life, or writing about it, but seldom are they good at both.

I have written nothing for months.  Guess why?  I'm pretty busy living life.  Being a dad.  Being a husband.  Being a brother, son, teacher, coach, etc.  

You should only write when you've got something to say.  The rest of the time is good for doing the things that are right in front of you, needing your faithfulness and care.

So now you know what I'm up to  :-)