A Poem Dedicated Just to You

For more than a year, I’ve been a contributing editor at The High Calling, which means I write a monthly post on a subject related to work and faith and an occasional additional post. I also participate in the book club discussions hosted by Laura Boggess, and there’s a cool one starting Monday on Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki (you can find a video interview with him on the book here.)

I work with the people who are The High Calling for five reasons.

First, I like the people. I like them a lot. We come from different backgrounds and experiences but we share a common bond in faith. I love working with them. I like being edited by Bradley Moore, Ann Kroeker, Sam Van Eman and Marcus Goodyear, because they’re good – really good – editors. I like how fast Claire Burge and Kelly Sauer can find the ideal photo illustration for my stories. I like the sense of humor of our managing editor, L.L. Barkat. And that’s just the staff – then there’s the whole world of connected High Calling bloggers.

Second, I like what The High Calling is up to. The “high calling” of its name is about the work we all do – whether that’s in the office or the home, in a ballpark or a truck route, in the church or the school, everywhere and anywhere we do work. The idea is that it’s work we’re called to do, and therefore we do it to the very best of our abilities, so that others might see the source of our dedication, creativity and labor.

Third, it’s affected people’s lives, and in good and wonderful ways. I looked through the comments left on every post in the month of March, and was amazed to see example after example of what was happening in people’s lives. You don’t necessarily expect that from an online site.

Fourth, I start each day by reading an emailed Daily Reflection from Mark Roberts, the Senior Director and Theologian-in-Residence at Laity Lodge. We're currently in the gospel of St. Luke, and he just finished a series of posts on the Lord's Prayer.

Fifth, I like what The High Calling has done for me, my writing, and my understanding of faith. It’s broken me out of what had been a relatively contained world of this blog, and pushed me to do better and be a better writer.

Recently, a financial supporter of The High Calling offered to match gifts, up to a total of $5,000, made to support the site’s work. For me, that was a no-brainer. So I’m doing my own version of a “public television telethon” and asking friends and visitors to consider a donation.

The High Calling has some suggested categories, but you can choose to give a gift large, small or in between. If you do make a gift of any size, let me know that you did (not the amount) by email or in the comment box, and I will write a poem dedicated to you.

And what’s more, check out L.L. Barkat’s giveaway over at Seedlings in Stone. You have a chance to win a cool book from L.L. AND have a poem dedicated to you by me.

The matching gift effort runs through May 31. So make a donation and have a poem dedicated to you.

Top Photograph: Laity Lodge by The High Calling. Swiped off The High Calling web site. Hey! That's a sixth reason I like The High Calling -- Laity Lodge!