I had lunch recently with my mom’s brother Jim. In August of this year he will be 90 years old. He still gets around remarkably well and there is certainly nothing wrong with this mental capacity. While the age shows, he still has much going on upstairs. As we talked about himself, his memories and life in general, the conversation slowly turned to our beliefs. Because he (and my mom’s siblings were) deserted by their dad during the depression and later adopted by a stepfather who openly supported communism and whose faith was steeped in reincarnation, he had gone through life with little to believe in. I paused quietly to let him clarify his beliefs to be wise in the future. He asked me if I had ever heard of Theosophy and I told him I had not. He said he had read about it when he was in his 40’s but never really followed through on it. He said that everything in it was good and that nothing about it was bad. I told him I would look it up.
What I found was information from the Theophilosophical website of the United Lodge of Theosophists is that the beliefs are a combination of theism and philosophy, based on THE THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY BY H. P. BLAVATSKY (1892). I also found that today it is such a mixture of stuff that it is really going to be hard to get my arms around all of its variations. I think the next time we get together, I will ask more of where his focus lies so I can understand how to approach his particular mindset. I intend to find out more because I love my Uncle Jim and I want him to find the peace that passes understanding before he leaves this earth.
During our conversation, the one thing that emerged in multiple parts of the conversation was his feeling of not accomplishing or contributing anything right now. That truly broke my heart. I assured him that there was much to be accomplished in just learning about our heritage and passing it on to our children. So we decided to embark on developing some writings about our family’s history. I could sense this project provided an opportunity for him to make a valuable contribution which would live on beyond his years. I know that as he reflects there will be many opportunities for us to deepen our relationship and build a bridge of trust with each other. You and I both know that as we study history we see how the Divine works through time, people and events to accomplish what is best for us and what meets the needs of the eternal Kingdom.
Kids, I tell you this, because I do not believe there will come a time when you feel you are not contributing or there is no purpose. Christ has a way of identifying a path that leads those of us He has chosen into meaning and purpose. As He orders our steps along that path, at perfectly spaced intervals, the perfect person will be there to stretch you and reshape your thoughts so you may become a little bit more like you completed self. As I have told you in the past, seek knowledge, information and wisdom from those who are older and have something to offer you that your mom and I have not given you. I am discovering what my mom and dad did not pass on through Uncle Jim. He and I will both end up richer for the time we spend together.
Love Dad