The Peoplesmith

Somewhere, sometime along the way, I came to believe that names are important. It is most likely connected to reading the Bible and seeing that everyone in it seems to have a name that means something. Perhaps my parents put careful thought into my name and that of my siblings. I should ask my mother. However, intentionality, it seems, may or may not be important. Also, I am not clear as to whether our names sort of fatalistically shape us or rather that because of our names we shape ourselves. Perhaps our families and friends also respond in part just to our names.

I think of examples like the Johnny Cash song, "A boy named Sue." I also think, sadly of people with positive names who somehow seem to have lived into their opposites. I've known a Joy who was sad and a Faith full of doubts. Once I met a homeless person named Gothro who seemed to have thrown his life away.

Whatever the truth is, this notion does shape who I am. Geoffrey, means God's Peace. Schmitt is German for Smith. It is usually spelled Schmidt. I have discovered that some in Germany who spell it with 2 ts are connected with vineyards and wine.

So here I am a priest who seeks indeed to be a man of God's Peace. Each Sunday and on other occasions I preside over a sacred meal where wine is served. My personal mission statement goes like this.

I am Geoffrey Schmitt, called to be God's peaceful smithy bringing friends, new and old into the refining fire of God's love.

Some of the ideas that I imagine will flow out onto the pages of this blog have been floating around in my brain and soul for years. Undoubtedly and hopefully some will be new and fresher. Like all of us I sometimes struggle to be positive. However, it is my ideal to look for the lemonade and I will endeavor to seek what is positive and hopeful.

I invite any who happen to find this blog to share your comments and thoughts as well.

So we are begun. This is post number 1 and well see where we go!

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