This Blog’s Being

One of my favorite shows was Syfy’s “Being Human.” The premise sounds a little silly when you say it out loud, but it is about three roommates–a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost. In spite of their “nature,” they are trying to live a normal life. A life where they fight against their animal (or in Sally’s case–ghostly) instincts and do the best they can to be good, productive citizens of Boston. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don’t. And isn’t that what we all are trying to do? Most of us, anyway. Live a good life. Be a  good person. Have a positive influence in the world. Unfortunately, “Being Human” ran its last episode long ago, but I want to reflect on those two words.

Life as a grand experiment. Looking at the emotions, struggles and experiences through the lens of what it means to “be human,” helps put life into perspective. Part of being human is a battle between good and evil, or to be less dramatic, doing the best we can in a world where that isn’t always easy.

This is where I record my rants and reactions to what it means to be human in this temporal place. Perhaps it can help another. Perhaps it will cause someone to consider something from a different point of view. I’ll hope to hear from you as well, if you feel so inclined. In any case, thanks for reading.

Who am I? I live in Moorhead, Minnesota, and am a pastor at a Lutheran church in Fargo, North Dakota, just across the Red River. My husband and I have four boys together, two are mine, two are is, making all four ours. But we are now getting used to an empty nest.

In my professional life, I have been a graphic designer and writer. I founded and was the editor-in-chief of “The Village Family Magazine,” a local parenting publication that existed from 1996-2015. At age 50, I switched careers and am enjoying the ministry of Word and Sacrament (all you churchy people out there know what that means). My prayer is that all I say and do (and blog) will be to the glory of God.

About the artwork: This pencil drawing is a cherished gift to me from my sister, Cindy, who is an artist in Missouri. The subject of this drawing is actually a sculpture from Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s statue of the Madonna at the Siena Cathedral in Tuscany, Italy. I love her hauntingly beautiful expression as she looks heavenward. Check out more of my sister’s work on Facebook: Cindy Kopenhafer Artist, www.facebook.com/CindyKopenhafer.