The Old Man enjoyed a reflective Sunday in the Woods. Listening to C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity was a delight. A folksy discussion of what it means to be a Christian. That is folksy from a renowned academic and author who knew how to write for the common among us. The Audible Package is over 30 hours and contains five of Lewis’s books.

My high school class is celebrating its 50th reunion on Saturday. I remember graduating like yesterday. I knew I was moving from my home the next morning. I wondered what I would become. So it goes. Becoming is the road we are on. I knew on that hot evening in 1975, I wanted my life to center around Christ in some form. Nothing had stirred my imagination like the Bible. The Desire Of The Ages had come to live with men.

I listened to the popular Christian song The King Is Coming by Bill and Gloria Gaither and felt inspired. There was something beyond the Veil. I garnered many friends in church. In those halcyon days, I felt accepted by everyone. When I began attending church, it was predominantly attended by older people. I have a love for old folks, now my people to this day. The clock turns swiftly.

A circular saw is peeling its trade in the distance. MJ says I am good at spackling. I told her I did a lot of it during the 9 months I worked on building our church as a teenager. I did everything from spackling to applying tar to the outside walls of the new basement. I worked alongside Dear Departed John Green on many occasions.

For years, my work colleagues thought I was a preacher. I seldom mentioned scripture, but must have looked the part. My boss in custodial told me that if we were contracted, I would be fine, as I could go preach. He also told me I should have been a philosopher. I see grey well. Everything is not black and white. If Christ judged us in black and white, we would be in a bit of trouble. As I often told colleagues in Building Services who wanted me to discipline their coworkers, if the shoe were on the other foot, they would not feel so vengeful.

Humility is real. I remind myself daily to not think of my accomplishments more highly than I deserve. I have been helped every step on the path to becoming. From liver and eggnog to the Old Man in the Woods, I remain a servant. As a child, I asked for wisdom. I am still asking…

We live in a leadership community of Headstrong and Cocksure. Right is right and wrong is wrong, and never the twain shall meet. We are often mystified by our own lives, yet certain about the lives of others, especially when they are wrong. Perhaps we have missed the point of the exercise.