My dear son:
You are only a few days old and yet I feel compelled in the midst of these furious and benighted times, to state for you a philosophy of life. Your life, like that of your contemporaries, begins at the conclusion of a horrible war. Millions of people are dying in Asia and Europe and not enough of our countryman seem concerned. People are are living in fear because already there are indications of more strife, the contemplation of which surpasses imagination. Selfishness and stupidity have too frequently characterized our political leadership. There is much evidence of moral and spiritual breakdown. Physically and emotionally people are tired and this leads to confusion and bewilderment. Men are asking, " What's the use of being honest? " What.s the use of being faithful in marriage? " What's the use of anything? " Such people have lost their bearings and that is why I must write this, for you were born out of faith and hope and love.
Here are some of the things your parents want you to know and experience. First, God is the Father and Creator of all things. Like your fellows, you came from Him; you belong to Him, and you are destined to Him. This is God,s world! Perhaps when you are two or three years old, I will take you by the hand and through your eyes see all over again the mystery of creation. To see life again with the eyes of a child is a rare privilage which only mothers and fathers may know.
Here is a mystery in a blade of grass, in a calf, in a robin,s egg, in a spreading tree, and in a running stream. Here is a mystery in sun and stars, in night and day, in snow and rain. May you be ever sensitive to these things of creation. May you come to your manhood knowing them on skates and skis, on the mountain trails and down the rivers. Then, when you move with men and make decisions, you will know over and above the market price that lumber comes from trees, that mutton comes from sheep, and power comes from the water, and that bread comes from the sunlit fields of waving wheat.
Thus you will know that these are God's gifts to men, not to be fought over, nor wasted, but rather to be used for the common good. Thus you will know that you are a debtor and a pensioner and that your life is dependant upon God's creation. Such knowledge will keep you humble and you will understand that "earth might be fair."
My second hope is that you will know God's son and follow him. God sent Him to save all of us from our selfishness. May you find your way to God through Him. What is called religion is the whole of life yielded to God and not just one segment of it. It is the whole character and direction of your life that we care about, not its individual accomplishments.
It is not of momentous concern if you do not make the athletic teams in your school and college. But to learn the fun of play is important. Play should not be used as an end in itself, but for the strengthening of your body and the refreshment of your spirit. So play hard and as well as you can, losing yourself for the time in what form of recreation which does the best things for you.
Nor is it a matter of concern if you are not a scholar, provided that you lose yourself in study as well as play. It will be better if you have to struggle for your academic grades than have them come to easily. It will be better if you excel in a few fields rather than achieve a gentleman's average in all.
I cannot say what your vocation should be, but I do not care if your income is to be large or small. Whatever your life's work, let it be something that needs doing; something that you do well, and something in which you find purpose. Thus you will be able to serve your fellows. Service can be rendered in any purpose that serves the common good,--in the the office or the operating room, in the law court or in the church.
Caring and loving are essential to a full life. I hope you love people, all kinds of people of many classes and of different racial backgrounds. In loving people you will understand them and have many friends. You will not use your friends except as friends. Never lose sight of the meaning of an individual.
I hope you will become an integral part of your community, sharing in its life. Towns and cities need responsible citizens who believe in good governments, good schools, and good hospitals. Generously offer your self, your time, and your money. Don't hold back. Give. There is nothing to wait for. Spend and be spent in the service of your fellows.
One day I hope you will love a good woman with whom you may grow in the things that matter. Such things are your home, your children, your work, and the service of your fellows.
The good life as Jesus gives us to see it is a hard thing to achieve. Most of us know what we ought to do, but we don't do it. However, hope is available for men, and my third hope for you is that God's spirit may be yours for Jesus's sake. To know his spirit is to live with power and inspiration.
The Christian life is rarely apart from tension. A battle will be going on around you all the time. It is the ancient fight that has been waged from the beginning. It is the struggle of the good against the evil. Wars are only symptoms of this eternal strife.
You will feel this conflict in your own heart. You will know real and deep temptation. You will stumble and make mistakes. Written large, that is the story of mankind. Be honest with yourself. Recognize your failures. Pray for forgiveness and begin again. Draw on the spirit of God. You cannot go through it by yourself.
I do not ask for you a life without fear. You will be afraid. I do not ask that you be spared suffering or even death. These things cannot hurt you. They do bring pain to those who love you. But we love you because you are here. If you should be on the losing side, go down hard and fighting. Go down with love and understanding. Go down with forgiveness. You will not be defeated. God is the Father; Jesus is the Son, and the Holy Spirit raises the step for eternal life both here and hereafter.
I am glad that you are here and I wish I might begin life all over again with you. In a certain sense I will do just that as I continue to live for you and with you.
Your father,
G.L.C.
15 years ago
