by David Melton
I was just thinking about things we say. For instance, the expression things went south — an idiom that has nothing to do with direction but instead expresses something going awry! Logic would say then that to go north would mean things are progressing nicely, wouldn’t it?
Since I am one given to making up new words (just ask my students, family, or friends) I am starting a new phrase usage in this article of the Tribune! Use it with me! When something is looking up just say, things are going north! Then think Boston!
Now, lest I start any Mason-Dixon Line hostilities anew, let me be perfectly clear. There is plenty I like about the South. I was born in the South to two southerners. Breakfast is better down South. My love for fried food surely has roots in the warmer climes. As a college, some of our best friends, most generous supporting churches, and most engaging students come from down South. My favorite college sports teams are from the south. Just about all the politicians worth having originate far down the road from here, and it only gets colder and snowier if you take I-95 north out of Boston. So I have no issues with the good South.
But why not find a way to say things are going well, inspired by what I see around me at Boston Baptist College? Let me explain without embarrassing any of our Boston family by using names. I am thinking of a new student who was worried about making it academically. He worked his tail off this past semester. I just saw his GPA … above 3.0! I am so proud of him and many of our young people who work hard to get ready to lead our churches. They are going north!
Another of our students is married and has to work a lot of hours and is faithful to his church. He wrote a paper on biblical church life for me that flat out went north! He is learning from the Bible what church is supposed to be!
I see so much going north here in Boston. We have new staff people like Phil and Wendi Webber who are … eh … sending it to the North Pole! We also have Ken and Gwendolyn Amador who are coming north and will be more great additions to the “northiest” team on the planet!
We have another going due north mantra here in Boston. I cannot tell you how proud I am of our stewardship here. Our budget team and our staff — up and down the line — make us proud month after month as we make what we have do the job. In times like these, I can’t brag on that enough. Good people doing a good job on a good northern mission.
Of course, we can look around and see plenty of things going south. But … we are not losing all the battles! Things really are going north. Now go have some fun and try out our new phrase on somebody.