I'll Take the Stairs, Thank You

I have begun counting how many stairs I go up and down during the course of my day. I reach 97 long before I make it to my office in the mornings and then I give up counting. Four flights later I finally reach my desk. Then, down two flights for any copies, printouts, or restroom breaks. I can only hope that my legs will become exceptionally buff this year. This morning, the walk seemed longer than usual to my first class. I was not the only one. I had one of my stellar students fall asleep for several minutes. I didn't wake him. I knew where he was coming from.

For the first time in my short teaching career, I changed a due date. My students said I was the greatest teacher ever for giving them an extra weekend to finish their papers. I wonder if I did it because I wanted that precise response or simply because I did not want to start grading yet another round of papers before I've finished the first. Either way, I have to figure out some brilliant plan for Friday's lesson now.

This week I have read several news articles that trouble me. One student was writing about how members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are cultists. Regardless of the writer's position, the article was poorly researched and had so many logical fallacies that it resembled Swiss cheese. Another was a statement supposedly from all homo sapiens saying that we are going to hold off on having children for a few years because it seems kind to the planet. Finally, there was an article that claimed pornography had some positive sides to it. I am not troubled because some think these things (it comes as no surprise). I am troubled because these ideas are becoming more common, and in places where I had previously assumed many agreed with my moral standard. Mostly, I am troubled because I wish I knew how to respond with my own view in a Christ like way, but respond nonetheless. All the academic knowledge in the world won't help someone to accept the Savior. But neither can I stand by quietly and let His doctrines by trampled underfoot so casually.

So I start a blog which no one yet reads. I wonder if I should even make it available to a wider audience because I don't want to make everything sacred to me a debate. What am I really saying today? That climbing the stairs is like following Christ. It hasn't gotten any easier yet. In fact, come some snow it will get a lot harder. I guess that sometimes the way up to where He is, is difficult. I make it worse by wearing high heels and forgetting my umbrella for the unavoidable thunderstorms. Even when I've gone up as far as I can, there's more work to be done. That work is important for me and for others, but it's still work. Maybe I just need to stop counting the stairs and enjoy the view I have as I try to climb a little higher.