I woke up at 3:15 again this morning and could not get Solomon and his Ecclesiastical “meaninglessness” off my mind. Perhaps it was because I had been to an estate sale the day before and purchased some old US coins. Quite often when I do “invest” in my hobby I feel as if it may be meaningless for me to do so. It does bring me joy, but it takes money out of circulation and then I realize it was out of circulation anyway from the previous collector or coin shop owner I purchased it from. But again, it does bring me joy – even if the individual’s image on the coin were not such nice people or imaginary gods or even animals who have no concept of God, Himself. They are a piece of history and history must be an example to learn from in one way or another rather than a piece of metal or paper that provides a means to an end.

Those thoughts inevitably lead to what is really valuable and that is the relationships in my life. I say that because they always live on, whether we are here or not. They transcend time and are locked away in God’s memory somehow. We really only get the opportunity to share a semblance of intimacy (on earth) with one person if we are truly blessed. Yet even those of us who are grateful and know we are truly blessed know that that one relationship is never going to be all we want it to be. There are always cravings and unmet desires. I know there are times when I wish Tracy could feel those longings for her attention, her touch and embrace that she does not need as much as I do. I know her mind is elsewhere so I retreat to my office and immerse myself in my work. If my brain is not working so well, the last resort is always the television. Yet it is either a mode of escape from reality, stories that we chose to influence/justify our reasoning or a means of information acquisition, the worst of which is the news and its normal negative purveyance of how most of the world has become.

Fortunately, My Lord normally pulls this feeble mind back on track if I will just listen or read what He has to say to me. During my days back of study I did some research on the Gospels and compared them to the “Faith Chapter”, Hebrews 11. I wanted to see what the ratio was of positive to negative, based on Christ’s teachings and the recorded history of the writers. While some of the information may not be classified as positive or negative, it was grouped conceptually, often with teaching illustrations or examples. What I found was what Psychologists remind us of from time to time and what I have tried to bring to your attention at various times in your life – that we need much more positive reinforcement than negativity because our mind and the spirits that oppress us will often take us to the latter. The ratio was more than 10 to 1. His healings, His words of wisdom, His love, His commitment to His cause, etc., etc., etc. The challenges or what we might see as negativity was there as constructive guidance the way I have tried to correct you or challenge your decisions.

I cannot and will not ever try to make your decisions for you – anymore than God will. My words to you will only be an old man’s experience based on pain or stress that has been self-induced because of my own rationalization. But here is the point. At times you may feel that your life is meaningless or that you are not getting the attention or love you need. The reality is the source of needed love will never exist here on earth, no matter how blessed you are with someone who truly loves you like I believe Tracy loves me. The source is beyond our sight, our knowledge, our understanding and all the things that bring us joy here on earth. It is found in the unseen world of the Spirit that may not always provide answers. It is found in the King of the Universe who will always encourage us if we ask. It is found in eternity that is close but seemingly so untouchable. I think Christ put it this way: “The Kingdom is near.”

Love Dad