Reading A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly, I was particularly struck by the following quote from his section on holy obedience.
“Don’t grit your teeth and clinch your fists and say, ‘I will! I will!’ Relax. Take hands off. Submit yourself to God. Learn to live in the passive voice – a hard saying for Americans – and let life be willed through you. For ‘I will’ spells not obedience.”
Yesterday was devoted to celebrating the 70th wedding anniversary of my mother and father-in-law, Arnold and Ruby Mae Watson. We began with breakfast followed by a reception from 10-4 and ended with a catered dinner. All went well. Many family and friends were able to attend. All of their five children were present.
Today is Ann’s father’s 90th birthday. He has been greatly blessed with a long and active life. Even at ninety, he remains independent and very active. He plays golf several times a week, walking at least nine holes of each round. He continues to drive his car and teaches regularly at church. The only sign of any diminished capacity that has me concerned are his deteriorating skills at Texas 42. But, I have decided that it is not that he has deteriorated but that Ann and I are just getting better at beating he and mother.
Happy Birthday.