Dear Russell & Friends,
I know that it has been a while since I’ve written. For a while, I’m pausing here. Why? Do I owe an explanation? If I’ve taken the time to write, and you’ve taken the time to read and write back then the answer is yes. I do owe an explanation. TIme. Time is the explanation. We all have the same amount of it. No one is more busy than any one else. We just spend our allotments of time differently. For a season of almost two years, this blog was a wise use of time as I poured my heart out to a friend and opened my mind to those with whom I disagreed. Honestly, in some areas – – I’ve been convinced. If time is a zero sum game, and I argue that it is, what was I missing? The pages of my paper journal are sparse. My academic productivity has waned. And I’ve read many new books and learned new things that may take me several years to absorb. One revelation of this blog to me was my own personality and just how strong my trait of introversion is. I think that I need about a thousand pages and a thousand miles to think in the best way I know how – – prayer during long journal entries and long runs. Will I return and share some of those thoughts and prayers? I hope so. I don’t want my solitude to be selfishness, but for now I ask your leave to enter the solitude that has never left me lonely. Russell may continue to write here in my absence if he chooses. There are several other competent and compassionate interlocutors both here and elsewhere. In fact, Mrs. Pascal and I are looking forward to dinner with two of them on Sunday night.
Thank you for joining this season in my life. I pray blessings on this season in yours. I have learned so much more about skeptics and atheists. Two things are most important – – I know that I love them and I know that the time spent listening was well spent. I’ll see you later – – here or elsewhere.
Love,
Pascal – – 1:16