Crushing their souls . . .

I handed back their papers this morning. My second class has never been more subdued. I wanted to tell them that it wasn't the end of the world, but I don't think they would have believed me. I wouldn't believe me.

I turned in a paper on Monday that is the worst paper I've written in a long time. I still want an A. All my professorial advice won't cheer me when it is not.

So I didn't tell them it wasn't the end of the world. It's something we each have to discover on our own. And then rediscover in the future.

A Grading Reflection

I'm nearing the end of my first pile of papers from this semester. My students displayed varying levels of ability - I almost said intelligence, but decided that wasn't quite fair. Because really, to me, writing is an indicator of intelligence. But these kids might not know that yet.

I'll be sorry to give the papers back. It signifies a change in our relationship. I'm no longer "Miss Hendrickson who knocked over a chair that one time and forces us to read news articles about mackerel fishing in Iceland." I become "Miss Hendrickson who gave me a bad grade and is ruining my GPA (and therefore my life) and who must hate me."

Students, I don't hate you. It's because I care about your success that I wrote that "D" on your paper. Six years down the road you're going to need to be able to write a coherent sentence and if you can't, there are worse consequences that a lowered GPA. Someday you'll need to be able to express the thinking you've done about an issue. If you can't, your solution - no matter how good it may be - will be passed over in favor of one more clearly articulated. This is to help you.

Papers. Almost done grading. Also, I'm writing a paper that will itself be graded. Then I'll have to read my own advice.

Mercy Hill

I've now been to the Mercy Hill church three consecutive Sundays. Third time must be the charm. I finally was greeted - by multiple people! I've also decided that I'm leaning toward attending regularly. My lean is decided enough that I filled out a visitor's card and turned it in. In return, they handed me a John Piper book. Another point in their favor.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about what is important to me in a church. And then I did a lot of thinking about how much it should matter what's important to me in a church. Then I thought about why I might value certain things in a church. Basically, there was thought. I need a church that believes what the Bible says. Mercy Hill has thus far lived up to that standard. Beyond that, I think what I value most in a church is genuineness. This is the most hipster church I've ever attended. The worship leader had a popped collar this morning and I feared for a minute that the pastor was wearing skinny jeans (false alarm: straight legged, but not skinny jeans). But underneath the hipster vibe, there is genuine emotion and a desire to worship. I think that's enough for me right now.

Plus, they keep giving me free bread. As a perpetually poor grad student, that is not a benefit at which to sneer.