Urgency

Summer in Southeast Alaska is two things: 1) not long, and 2) not to be taken for granted. It's considered a "mild temperature range" around here. 60's are the new 80's. And true to form we moved here to take part in the coldest and wettest summer Juneau's had in decades. More than one person has proposed the theory that it was us who brought the cold and wet. But unlike the good folks in California, Oregon or Washington who may feel entitled to a certain summer quality level, Alaskans seem to take uncooperative weather in stride. (Save your notes and cards.)

Summer for Alaskans takes on a certain urgency. Again, because the summer is 1) not long, and 2) not to be taken for granted. There is a cultural and societal impetus here to cram as much fun as possible into the summer months (okay, days.) Because fall comes all too quick.

High school football teams around the State are entering the second week of their season. The Statewide "snow-calypse" (or here in Southeast the eleven month rain festival) is soon to settle in for good, Xtratuff's will again be mandatory footwear, and summer will only be a memory.

So while there's still time people here, us included do whatever is necessary to rearrange schedules and convolute priorities to emphasize fun. The boat marinas are nearly empty, the float planes all take to the sky, and hundreds of salmon and halibut are meeting an untimely demise as we speak.

I am busy looking for daytime work and gathering people into an initial gospel community. My bride (who already has plenty of daytime work) is busy thinking of all the places she wants to see, visit and camp. And this only proves she is already more indigenous, therefore more urgent than I am.

And (to state what may be the obvious takeaway) I want this same sense of urgency in how I live out the gospel imperatives in my life. Because, my time is 1) not long, and 2) not to be taken for granted.