Writer's Block

One of my favorite English professors in college had this colorful expression: “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” It means that if you know a little about a certain subject matter (finance, computer technology, Star Wars), and you find yourself surrounded by people less knowledgeable about said matter, then they will usually regard you as an expert. I should have just kept my mouth shut and said that I am a seminarian, nothing more. Unfortunately, Fr. Francis got a whiff that I majored in English and thus volunteered me to give a series of lectures to the ‘Millennium Writers,’ a student group at the University, in hopes of re-starting their newsletter that has long since ended.

I never focused on journalism or layout design in college. I don’t even think I can explain writing. For me it is like navigating around Powerpoint or recalling random quotes from movies—I don’t know HOW I do it, I just DO it! But now every Monday and Thursday morning I will be speaking for an hour (about something) to these students about writing. I will need prayers for this endeavor, please! I have NO clue what to talk about. During a preliminary meeting, these students kept thanking me like I was another Hemmingway or Shakespeare (closer to Dr. Seuss) sent to rejuvenate their writers program. They have a tangible hunger to make a difference in their post-war country and an appreciation for the hidden power that language contains.

I know that God will make all things possible and perhaps unlock some secret reservoir of knowledge I may have. But this is kinda crazy. I thought God would use me here to help feed children or perhaps battle a lion to save a village…not to give English lectures. This strange turn of events has prompted me to reflect on the English education I have been given: from the teachers at Holy Family through Northeast High to UF; from random writers’ camps to teen-magazine submissions; all throughout I have experienced a quantity of quality teachers, professors, and mentors. To whom much is given, much will be asked. Sigh...

Before I would serve Mass at the seminary (where all the guys are hyper-critical and always looking for mistakes), I would say this simple yet heartfelt prayer: “Dear God, please do not let me screw this up."

I call it the “Prayer of Bob.” Feel free to use it. I’ll be offering it up before my classes.

-Bob
written 06/04/11