Briefly

David Platt and Donald Trump don’t belong on the same stage. Other than both being humans, I know nothing similar about the two. Platt is one of the best people I’ve ever known. Trump is among the worst I’ve ever seen on the world stage. Platt is pastor of McLean Bible Church in Virginia. He moved to Virginia to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board. Before that, he was my pastor at the Church at Brook Hills here in Birmingham, so I feel qualified to offer an opinion about him. He was the most godly and humble pastor I’ve ever known. He loved people and was passionate about personally becoming more like Jesus and teaching others to do the same. On Sunday, he had just finished preaching and he stepped off the stage to prepare for the Lord’s Supper. He got a message that Trump was on the way to the church and wanted for the church to pray for him. In a letter to the church Sunday night, Platt explained that he thought praying for Trump was the right thing — in a very non-political way. Unfortunately, Platt was naive not to recognize that it would be seen in the context of the political support that many religious right Christian ministers have given to Trump. I think Platt made a mistake by allowing Trump onto the stage — because of the appearance of an endorsement — but knowing him as I do, I know it was a naive mistake made by a godly man trying to do the right thing.

Do you remember the first time in your life when you thought you might have some talent? When I was a young child, I did a crayon drawing in school of the Mayflower, similar to this drawing. It was the best art I had done, but it wasn’t really remarkable. My father didn’t pay attention, but my mother did. She didn’t live with us by then, but I showed it to her on a visit. She loved it and told me how well I had done. I was happy with the praise and she wanted to keep the drawing. The next time I was at her house, I saw my drawing on the wall — in a nice, professional frame. She had been proud of me. She wanted me to know that and she wanted visitors to her home to know that, which made me feel special. Children can tell when you give them false praise, but remember to give them sincere praise when they deserve it. Your child might still have a warm feeling in his or her heart decades later — as I do when I think about my mother’s pride in me.

Luchita Hurtado has been painting for her entire life, but she never had any public recognition until now. The 98-year-old artist is originally from Venezuela but now lives in London. She started painting at night while everybody else slept, but she never imagined she would one day get recognition from the art world. Hurtado has a showing of her work at London’s Serpentine Galleries that runs until October — and it’s the first public recognition her work has ever gotten. If there’s something you want to do — or something you need to do — you can still do it. The best time to start pursuing what you love was years ago, but the next best time is today.