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It’s been replaced by a thriving irrigation hose.

Will Willimon tells preachers to put aside sentimentality.

I want to be an eccentric when I grow up.

My role models? A bevy of beloved church members I have known over the course of my life. For instance, Mrs. P., who wore large, fantastic pieces of jewelry from her travels all over the world and reliably brought stewed rhubarb to every church potluck, portioned out in Dixie cups on a tray, though I am not sure anyone ever ate any of it. There was M., who wore “purple, purple—everything purple,” as she would say, because her ex-husband didn’t like the color. Once they were divorced, it was the only color she ever wore.

“If it can’t be happy, make it beautiful.”

Lament and longing can be companions.