05/09/2026
Story time...summer of 1990. I was taking a couple classes during at Penn State. This was just a few months after my worst depression ever, so I was still coming out of my "pit of despair." I will always be grateful for the presence/friendship of many during those times, but especially for Karen Kreiling and Cathy Hess who were the first to help me more than they may realize.
During that summer, one of the classes I tool was a physics class (PHYS 237?) taught by the hard to follow Dr. Feuchtwang, but with the wonderful (and Lutheran) TA Laura Weinkauf (currently at Jacksonville State University).
A side note...thanks to a great back 9, I qualified for the Keystone State Games in golf that year, but the finals of the golf were the same day as my physics final, and Dr Feuchtwang would not allow me to take the exam at another time. I am not angry at him, but at my unwillingness to challenge/appeal that decision.
Back to class, which was also attended by my friend Beth Pillsbury (now married to Jonathan Riches). One day, as we amused ourselves, we came up with this ditty together.
I know not what I go to do
Or why I go to do it.
But I know that what I do, I do
And when I'm done I'm through it.
Recently I was on a retreat that included phycological/personality tests. It revealed about me that while I think and feel a lot about my choices, I have a great aversion to actually doing anything. I am so afraid of failing, offending, or accidentally betraying others that I end up doing nothing. And then of course, I end up feeling guilty about not taking action. Oh my self-driven guilt!
I hate to sound like a Nike commercial that says, "Just Do It!" for there are many times that planning/pondering/praying are the first steps to taking action, but at some point action needs to be taken. And when you are done with that action, take the time to reflect and review in order to prepare for the next step into the unknown.
Peace. -Pastor Rob
