Hello Patchers!

I suppose it's time for the obligatory introductory post: hi there. I'm Emma, and I here to write about life. I know it says I'm writing about faith in the description, and I am, but for my part, I've had a hard time separating the two.

It's not just because I work at a church (St. Paul's, in Storrs). It's not just because I grew up in the church all my life (we were "hoppers," but I've rarely missed a Sunday). It's because, fundamentally, we have to believe in something. 

Now hear me out: I know a lot of you don't believe in God or any of that stuff. That's fine. But to be human is to have faith in something, to believe in something that's somewhat intangible, even if that means believing in the theory of relativity, of existentialism, whatever it is: to be human is to put one's trust in something that cannot be 100% proven. 

And while that's a bit scary and weird, it's also a little exciting, or at least, it's a little bit interesting. That's what gets me going anywhere: what's really happening beneath the surface of our existence? What do our thought patterns and decisions say about us? What is the purpose of our lives, and what are we supposed to do about it? 

As a Christian, I have a certain perspective on these things. But I also acknowledge that despite the fact that I try and follow Jesus and his teachings, I don't necessarily get it right all the time. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12, right now we see in a mirror dimly. But that doesn't mean that we don't give up on these complicated questions and thoughts. We wrestle with them, and we see what comes about once we've considered the bigger idea, the bigger meaning, the bigger implications for us. 

And I believe God makes all things new. He can make beautiful things from the broken things. And those are the things I like to think about. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes: 

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

And so I'd like this space to do this: even if it's not overtly Christian, even if it may not seem very religious, I'd like to uncover the beauty, the good, the things that are worthy of praise, and think on them. 

Will you join me?