Pass it on, stripped of all righteousness, is what a heaven's for. There can be both good and not in all we do. A good wife helps make us twice better. Nobody holds only goodness and we can't help it. We must strive to remove the chunk in our own eye before we point at another's.
Too old to be angry... too young to be frightened. Unfortunately, the human animal tends to teach the opposite. Would that we learn the wonder of the child without the wounds of experience. Humor, for me, is a source for this truth. Thank you for uncovering it through the narration of your experiences.
I also grew up in the Sanctified Brethren and then migrated to the Episcopalians, and one day a bunch of years ago I decided I wanted to explore my faith along any route I considered likely to bring illumination. In other words, I chose to become highly literate in my faith, learning its history, its various takes on various things, and about as much else as I could take in. I read books and books, and then more books, and wrote and wrote, and then wrote more, although not for publication - just to see if things that seemed plausible in my head could survive five minutes when committed to paper. For a bookworm and newspaperman it was wonderful, and yet when I came to the end of that safari, I realized that all I needed is something simple and honest, along the lines of trying to love my neighbors (Reps and Dems alike, etc.), to be humble about God by refusing the ferocious absolutism that seems to feed too many today, and to seek God's justice in small ways as well as in the grander themes where possible. Above all, to respect each new day as the next set of holy possibilities, despite my inclination to tinker and meddle in the long term. Anything more profound and theologically complex would put roadblocks in the way of almost everyone.
Just a way of identifying with much that you say, by also acknowledging my own path.
Having said that my Saturday evenings have never been the same since you left PHC. I feel like an old friend has been gone for about seven years now and I keep peering out the back door every Saturday into the twilight hoping he will return. I know he's out there living his life. But I miss his gentle presence around the kitchen table.
Stay Well. And (as you used to croon), "forever young!" (I loved that song; I tried to find the original song writer and I was never able to do so.)
I prefer the purer distilled spirits of the Minor prophets to the voluminous mash of the Majors - "what does the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8
Hmmm. Dumb things I’ve done. Once I wasn’t thinking and I poured clumping cat litter into the toilet. I will always look for my glasses from room to room telling myself that they have to be somewhere because I had them a minute ago. I finally find them on my head. Somebody say Amen to that. I seem to say “No worries” when in fact there is something to be concerned about. “No worries” is something you say when someone accidentally mistakes your shopping cart in Trader Joe’s for their own and they realize it when they’re pretty sure they didn’t buy Chips Ahoy! cookies. I repeatedly read books that I’m hoping the ending will change. And I’m definitely dumb when I promise myself I’ll eat cottage cheese tomorrow after I eat a piece (or two) of cake today. That never works and based on my experience I’m pretty sure it never will.
But the dumbest thing I repeatedly do is underestimate myself. My life has been a battlefield and I only become fierce and more determined in response. But never angry, thank God. I don’t let any of it live rent free in my head. I want to leave room in there on the off chance that I’ll gain some wisdom along the way. I’m not sure that I have, but maybe I should cut myself some slack and believe that I have, in spite of all the ridiculously dumb things I have done and will do. Or maybe because of them. I think I’ll give myself that instead of choosing what might be a car behind curtain number three.
Pushing the “like” button just didn’t seem adequate after reading these lovely words and having just received my copy of CHEEFULNESS way down here in Mexico. I can now look forward to another wonderful read. Thank you. Thank you Garrison. And, thank you too to Muse Jenny who makes you happy and thus provides the ongoing inspiration for what gives the rest of us joy.
I love how you always manage to transcend the inanity of politics nudging us toward the more spiritual and moral and, well, human, and so thankful for your humor and humility and wisdom lo these many years--and especially glad that you’re managing to steer clear of cemeteries.
Wonderful words to live by! Thank you for your wisdom, sir!
Pass it on, stripped of all righteousness, is what a heaven's for. There can be both good and not in all we do. A good wife helps make us twice better. Nobody holds only goodness and we can't help it. We must strive to remove the chunk in our own eye before we point at another's.
Keep sharing the good as you do so well.
👍❤️
Too old to be angry... too young to be frightened. Unfortunately, the human animal tends to teach the opposite. Would that we learn the wonder of the child without the wounds of experience. Humor, for me, is a source for this truth. Thank you for uncovering it through the narration of your experiences.
I also grew up in the Sanctified Brethren and then migrated to the Episcopalians, and one day a bunch of years ago I decided I wanted to explore my faith along any route I considered likely to bring illumination. In other words, I chose to become highly literate in my faith, learning its history, its various takes on various things, and about as much else as I could take in. I read books and books, and then more books, and wrote and wrote, and then wrote more, although not for publication - just to see if things that seemed plausible in my head could survive five minutes when committed to paper. For a bookworm and newspaperman it was wonderful, and yet when I came to the end of that safari, I realized that all I needed is something simple and honest, along the lines of trying to love my neighbors (Reps and Dems alike, etc.), to be humble about God by refusing the ferocious absolutism that seems to feed too many today, and to seek God's justice in small ways as well as in the grander themes where possible. Above all, to respect each new day as the next set of holy possibilities, despite my inclination to tinker and meddle in the long term. Anything more profound and theologically complex would put roadblocks in the way of almost everyone.
Just a way of identifying with much that you say, by also acknowledging my own path.
Many thanks for your "testimony".
You're on a roll Garrison, another perfect balance of politics, culture, religion, and humor!
Ignorance becomes stupidity when it is thrust into others' faces. So far I'm only ignorant (I think).
Yes
Another great column. You are getting better and better.
We love you, Garrison! Thank you for your notes.
Having said that my Saturday evenings have never been the same since you left PHC. I feel like an old friend has been gone for about seven years now and I keep peering out the back door every Saturday into the twilight hoping he will return. I know he's out there living his life. But I miss his gentle presence around the kitchen table.
Stay Well. And (as you used to croon), "forever young!" (I loved that song; I tried to find the original song writer and I was never able to do so.)
I prefer the purer distilled spirits of the Minor prophets to the voluminous mash of the Majors - "what does the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8
Good question. Nothing.
Tx for the reminder, GK.
Hmmm. Dumb things I’ve done. Once I wasn’t thinking and I poured clumping cat litter into the toilet. I will always look for my glasses from room to room telling myself that they have to be somewhere because I had them a minute ago. I finally find them on my head. Somebody say Amen to that. I seem to say “No worries” when in fact there is something to be concerned about. “No worries” is something you say when someone accidentally mistakes your shopping cart in Trader Joe’s for their own and they realize it when they’re pretty sure they didn’t buy Chips Ahoy! cookies. I repeatedly read books that I’m hoping the ending will change. And I’m definitely dumb when I promise myself I’ll eat cottage cheese tomorrow after I eat a piece (or two) of cake today. That never works and based on my experience I’m pretty sure it never will.
But the dumbest thing I repeatedly do is underestimate myself. My life has been a battlefield and I only become fierce and more determined in response. But never angry, thank God. I don’t let any of it live rent free in my head. I want to leave room in there on the off chance that I’ll gain some wisdom along the way. I’m not sure that I have, but maybe I should cut myself some slack and believe that I have, in spite of all the ridiculously dumb things I have done and will do. Or maybe because of them. I think I’ll give myself that instead of choosing what might be a car behind curtain number three.
I know its hoping for too much, but wouldn’t 2024 be a good time for angry people to chill out.
Wonderful! Thank you for your honesty!
Pushing the “like” button just didn’t seem adequate after reading these lovely words and having just received my copy of CHEEFULNESS way down here in Mexico. I can now look forward to another wonderful read. Thank you. Thank you Garrison. And, thank you too to Muse Jenny who makes you happy and thus provides the ongoing inspiration for what gives the rest of us joy.
I love how you always manage to transcend the inanity of politics nudging us toward the more spiritual and moral and, well, human, and so thankful for your humor and humility and wisdom lo these many years--and especially glad that you’re managing to steer clear of cemeteries.