Observations On A Trip

WED., DEC. 3, 1997, 2:47 PM
FARM, STUDY

Your excursion out to the West was, generally, a good one, with a final “trouble” with transportation and a couple of minor tragedies here at the Farm. You did spend some good time with that volume of My Teachings to you, now 12 years ago, and that sort of revisiting and relearning is a major “activity” that I want from you in these retirement years. At this point you have no system. Perhaps you could develop one, for more complete “coverage”.

Here the trees are bare, save for Michael’s pine that you see more clearly now, with the maple leaves on the ground. The grass still has some green, but that shall wane as cold air comes in for a seasonal stay. It is quite a contrast with the foliage around Michael’s house, and, fortunately, you find this preferable. Yes, once again this Farm has been “challenged” by another beautiful home site, and you do not find the “challenger” more beautiful, for you, than this place. Just accept and enjoy this comparison.

You let your developing sickness be the reason for your missing the comparison of worship services. You don’t want to “offend” Wendy or Michael by not expressing appreciation of the religious heritage of which they are an active part. Yet it does not appeal positively to your spirit, and to that you should “be true”. As you are quite aware there are many differing traditions and disparate religious practices within this Christian fold of Mine. In one way I have created this, in another I have allowed it to develop as different humans make up this Christian family. The major important difference is in the holding to ancient practices and the words of ancient saints in contrast to your hearing Teachings from Me, Holy Spirit in this present time, with little interest, on our part, in the interpretations of men who related to Me in times and places quite different from these times and this place.

The liturgy is obviously quite more formal and traditional that yours, just as yours is more formal than that at the Vineyard. Their church, its activities, including its school, are certainly quite important to this son and his family, but you feel blessed that they are such an active part of a Christian community as caring and supportive as this one seems to be. It still is strange, to you, that a son from your family, responding to your parenting, is so fully Orthodox, even after being more evangelical than was comfortable for you. Such is life, and you are right to feel that this life-style of his is to be applauded. Continue to relate, as closely as you can with him and his family, even as the closeness can’t naturally be as it was in earlier years of his life.

It was comfortable having a short visit with Tinse and Mary Ellen, with Sheryl and Kirin also there for the evening. Conversation revealed quite a range in spiritual hypothesis and conclusions… including Tinse, who was there, but had no input of a spiritual sort. The environment of their home and yard took you back to Greer Rd., with that cheek-to-jowl living that was your first experience with a house of your own. For you it was quite pleasant and appropriate with 4 little boys… and you see that it could be desirable for retired couples… but you can’t truly imagine yourself in such a living experience. Let it encourage feelings of appreciation for this life setting of yours… and an impetus for you to keep this place “presentable” (even with a watermarked ceiling).

The months that My almost-retired servant Mabel was with you were not hard, on you, but you do look forward to just you and Lenore again. Then came the trip to A.P.H.A., followed by Lenore’s and Mabel’s departure… and finally, this California visit. You realize these are not as fully enjoyable as in your younger years. This is as it should be.