No one ever told me that being a parent would turn a trip to the movies into an emotional minefield. I guess I should have known that. Children in peril and loss are common themes in storytelling. But what you know in your head doesn’t always prepare you for what hits you squarely in the heart.

Arrival begins with these beautiful glimpses of a relationship between Louise Banks (played by the incredibly talented Amy Adams) and her daughter. Yet the plaintive score and the dreamlike cinematography alerted me that tragedy was just around the corner. With that sneaking suspicion, it disarmed me when the little girl said “Mommy” in a register very similar to our sons.

Back in seminary, I was part of a group that was responsible for putting together a chapel service around Thanksgiving. Since I wasn't going to be there for the service, I volunteered to put together a video prayer for the service. I've used it a couple of times since then (including this past week in Sunday school) and have continued to update it (even since this past week in Sunday school).

Before thanking people at camp, my dad typically commented that you get in trouble when you start thanking people because you are bound to leave someone out. I mention that to say that this is not an exhaustive list of those things and people for which I am thankful. The people is pretty much excluded to my immediate family, which is to say, "I'm still thankful for you other family members and friends." I should also mention that there was a cut of this that included my gratitude for "Unfollow" button on Facebook and Twitter, but that didn't seem to be in the proper spirit of things.

Interstate 40 is a straight shot out of Tennessee. It spits you out in the mountains of North Carolina where you dribble down to Asheville, switch to I-26, and slide on down to the foothills of South Carolina. I drove that familiar path last week as the sun set behind me. I was trying to make up distance and trying to make up time. The home that is my wife and sons was on the other side.

It's 356 miles from where I live in Nashville to where I used to live in Spartanburg. Driving solo between the two, it doesn't feel that long. But there are times when I can feel every inch of the distance. That has been difficult; more so than I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong. I knew it would be tough. When you're not with your wife/best friend of 11 years and the two souls that you swore you'd protect with everything, the absence is going to weigh on you. Yet that distance is a load to bear. When I left to go back to Nashville and my youngest whimpered, "I'm going to miss you," it darn near destroyed me.

This is the video of my ordination service back in October for those who would like to see it. Mainly you'll probably want to see my sister Shari Hunt, Michael Wright, and Luke Justice play "Helplessness Blues," "Beautiful Things," and "This Road." Thanks again to all of those who were part of this meaningful day.

This week my prayers have steered into the skid that is the fallout from the election. A prayer that keeps popping up in my mind is one commonly known as "The Prayer of Saint Francis." Francis probably didn't author this prayer, but it echoes the ethos of a man whose faith and compassion for those around him is still a marvel today. I love this prayer and have for many years. In a time when people are frightened and filled with turmoil, "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace" seems like the thing to pray.

It's what I want to pray, but parts of it are so difficult. It's not the beginning. I want to sow love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury, faith where there is doubt, hope where there is despair, light where there is darkness, and joy where there is sadness. I desire that with my entire being.