Continuity is the mother lode

Mark Few, the Gonzaga University men's basketball coach, said something in his Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech last weekend that immediately scored points with me. There is a truth in certain statements that resonate.

In that speech, Few spoke of his father being a pastor for 54 years in Mark's small Oregon hometown, which had a population of 1,500 with one traffic light. His dad taught him, “Sometimes the greatest calling isn't finding the next thing. Sometimes it's pouring everything you have into where you are.” Coach Few has had many appealing offers to leave Gonzaga and “further” his career elsewhere. But this is why he stayed at Gonzaga: He has chosen to be very present where he is.

He went on to attribute continuity — “the same people around me for years” — as a big part of his, and Gonzaga's, basketball success. In his 37 years with the school there have been just three presidents and two athletic directors.

This steadfastness is impressive. The “next thing” can be such a tantalizing horizon. It isn't that there are no exciting opportunities waiting — and ones that should be pursued. It is when the opportunities become dispensable in constant pursuit of some other shiny thing that they show themselves for “fool's gold.”

What if more people “poured everything we have into where we are?” My mother made Priest River her hometown for 47 years. Every time I came to visit, I got the fruit of her friendships — of her outpouring of life as a nurse, as a pianist and soloist, as a woman of faith. I got the familiarity of people and place — and the “trailer with the tip out” that was so filled with peace it was like walking into a soft summer cloud any time of year.

After I moved back to town, there was still Patrick down at the mail, and Ken at the grocery store, and Tiahna at the salon, and Dennis at the golf course. Continuity done right is a secure and wonderful reward. Children thrive on continuity in the home. A team thrives on the field or court or ice. A town thrives.

Coach Few grew up with commitment in his family — and in his community. He learned it. He had it to give. There is always someone waiting to benefit from our continuity. In his speech, Coach Few acknowledged his supportive parents who came from a strong faith — and raised him and his “awesome” siblings with a “strong, strong faith” as well.

From my own experience, faith in God is a steadfastness I have not found anywhere else. Over and over, “steadfast” is how He describes Himself in His Word. In nautical terms He is an anchor.

For numerous reasons, not everyone can remain long years in one place. The most I have managed is 15. There has been calling to move on — one being to care for the aging mother who gave so much to me from her deep reservoir. However, pouring everything I have into where I am, while I am there, may actually lead me to stay. It may quiet that chasing after the next shiny thing. It may show me the rich reserves in my own life.

Continuity is the mother lode.

Carol Shirk Knapp is the author of "The Preacher's Kid" column.