The Origin of “All Good Things”
Those who are taught the Word should share all good things with their teacher.
— Galatians 6:6 (Common English Bible)
Some of you may have noticed that I always sign anything requiring a signature with the phrase, “all good things.” I can’t remember if I’ve shared the origin story of that closing blessing and thought now would be a good time to do so.
In August of 2011, I attended a weeklong workshop at the Collegeville Institute in Minnesota entitled, “Writing and the Pastoral Life.” Shortly after returning home, I kept gushing about my experiences. Have you ever traveled somewhere that had such beautiful sights and memorable moments that you struggled to describe them to people who weren’t there?
That’s how I felt when I tried to write about my time at the institute. The phrase that kept coming to me was “all good stuff.” Then one week I read the above verse from Galatians and the phrase, “all good things,” shined from the page.
I had spent a week sharing all good things with fellow teachers and preachers of the Word. We had taught one another, and “all good stuff” became “all good things.” There is so much in life that we can call “good.” For all that stuff and those things, we thank the Source of goodness.
The origin of “all good things” is not only one verse of Scripture. It’s not one workshop in Minnesota. The origin of all good things is the One who declared this world, “good,” with the words of creation. No matter how evil or tumultuous our world may seem at times, let us remember that God is good. God loves us. God created us to do good and to love each other.
And that is why, every chance I get, I wish all good things to each of you.
Dr. Darian
Lectionary for Sunday, July 3, 2022
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30
Galatians 6:1-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20