A construction project in Germany was started to lengthen the German federal motorway known familiarly as the Autobahn. In doing so, it was necessary to move a very old cemetery. It was controversial because some very famous musicians had been buried there. Archaeological curiosity, being what it is, it was decided that some caskets would be opened. Several musicians were discovered to be decomposing. In other caskets, only bones remained. Some museum archaeologists decided to reassemble the skeletal remains. The lead archaeologist made it very clear that only one reassembly was desired: “If is not Baroque, don’t fix it.” This left the other archaeologists incensed and feeling flat. “Shouldn’t you take it up with the rest of the staff” were the disgusted retorts. The lead archaeologist, being very well versed in the field, retorted in a sharp tone, “I take note of your displeasure, but it is I who have the finale say.”
Upon completion of the Autobahn extension, a big celebration was planned. Several celebrities were invited. Of those, three aging action heroes were showcased: Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Having been told of the musicians whose graves were opened, each of the aging men decided to dress up like musicians. Willis decided he would be Beethoven, Stallone decided to be Tchaikovsky. Arnold very loudly proclaimed, “I’ll be Bach!” The celebration was a great success as evidenced by the chorus of cheers. And, as Paul Harvey would say, “That is the rest of the story”.
Published by sparedbygrace@yahoo.com
I am Richard Brewer—a Christ-follower, psychologist, husband, father, grandfather (Papa) sometimes writer, and lifelong student of people.
For much of my professional life, I've had the privilege of sitting with people as they wrestle with some of life's most difficult questions—questions about faith, suffering, grief, relationships, identity, failure, hope, and what it means to live well.
Those conversations have changed the way I see people and the way I understand my own faith. They have taught me that life is rarely as simple as our explanations of it, that people are almost always more complicated than they appear, and that sometimes the wisest response to a difficult question is to empathize and to keep asking better questions.
I am a committed Christ-follower, but I am not interested in pretending that Christianity eliminates mystery or that faith means having an answer for everything. Faith invites us to pursue truth honestly, to think deeply, to acknowledge what we do not know, and ultimately to trust the God we do know.
Mediocre Meanderings is where I explore some of those questions.
I write about faith and psychology, grief and suffering, leadership and relationships, aging and ordinary life—and occasionally whatever else catches my attention along the way.
I do not write from the perspective of someone who has figured life out. I write as someone who has lived enough of it to know that I have not.
These are my thoughts, questions, observations, and occasional attempts at wisdom. Take what is useful. Challenge what is not. And, if you would like, meander along with me.
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Mediocre Meandering 