I wondered...
     Of what?

But I pondered...
     Over 25 years
     of accumulated
     biblical scholarship...
     and skills to
     apply it.

I could go on maybe...
     but that would be
     over-statement.

It's hard on one's
     sense of stewardship
     to consider himself
     a programmed computer
     unplugged.

All that data
     stored up
     but not used.

There's too much in all of us
     that lies buried
     awaiting recovery.

Trying to make me nostalgic
      about my lost trade.

The people, I guess...
      the little children
      some youthful friends
      all those young families
      my contemporaries
      my "parents in residence"...
      yes, I miss the people.

And music...
      the celebration of faith
      always lifted me.

And sharing faith...
      turning on light
      for those in darkness.

And entering the valleys...
      doing the personal work
      of the ministry.

It would be false for me
      to give the illusion
      that I live
      without missing something.