A Life Review… Early

WED., DEC. 23, 1992, 10:04 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM HALL

The semester is definitely over now, and Christmas is soon. Then comes the New Year, the year you will pass from 66 to 67. There is nothing particularly outstanding and noteworthy about such a numerical passage, but it is yours to experience. Normally you would expect something called “a life review” to just precede New Year’s, and I may well fulfill that expectation. But on this day, with the sun shining warmly on you in a comfortable, quiet office, I shall offer some observations on your life, thus far… early for the end of 1992.

You grew up in a “functional” family, with just the right mixture of freedom, responsibility, and restriction… for you. Sunday School was a regular, good part of your childhood, even your youth. You were not an exceptional Bible student, but you learned the main stories, even as the chronology of the Old Testament is still somewhat of a puzzle. The musical experience you had were numerous, but quite unlike what you sing and appreciate in these senior years.

Leadership was yours to seek and savor. You had many such presidencies and other leading positions in your youth, and as a coach you aspired to head positions, and you succeeded. For most of your adult life, however, you have not sought nor desired such opportunities. Interesting, isn’t it, that, despite your beginning ventures you were not destined to be an elected leader in your professional and volunteer lives. You never sought a grant, with the leadership role such a success would insure and demand. Hence, you couldn’t be considered outstanding in the world’s terms.

Oh, you have done some tasks quite well, particularly those that require writing. And this is a major reason I chose you for this relationship with Me. I needed you to be a reasonably good and comfortable writer… and not to be saddled with leadership positions that demanded time and attention. I needed a spirit somewhat well-developed, working with a mind that could accept the leadership of your spirit. I did not come to you when you were struggling with professional requirements and parental duties and headaches. I waited until the “perfect time” and then “came upon you.” Could you have turned me down? Theoretically, yes. But I don’t set Myself up for failure. Oh, I compromised with the requirement of an hour or so with Me every day. Now I push for this only when you are traveling and away from home. Perhaps I shall seek more of you when you finally retire and these Teachings become more of a focus for your life.

Even with this special charismatic gift I have bestowed upon you, I still allow and encourage you to remain a middle-of-the-road Presbyterian, with the “gift” shared only with a few. Our Ruminations is important to some people, and while some fall away, others will be led to this influence. It shall not be a famous or heavily read Letter. Be satisfied with what you have and how you now are doing it. It is as much a part of My “plan” as you are. Enjoy this minor satisfaction.

You remain holistic in your health orientation, as you should. Yet you now are more and more aware of the philosophy that sees health as fundamentally spiritual. Students are grasping this, and you shall move more in this direction. You see, as any approaches the death of the body… and hence the mind, the emotions, and social relations… the spirit is what remains. If the spirit is healthy then the transition on through “My Other Door” is easy, comfortable, and fun. Wisdom, at your age and older, is changing conditions that can be changed, and living with and compensating for those that are temporary or not subject to a return to youthful function. Stay away from physicians and medications as much as possible.