Aging Gracefully

         My father has gray hair. I am beginning to have gray hair. One of my co-workers recently mistook some of my gray as possibly being shampoo that had not been completely rinsed out, but I assured him that I am diligently thorough in that respect. I just happen to be getting older. I also just happen to share the inexorable tendency of many other aging people to worry that perhaps my best days are behind me...that a certain quickness, a certain sharpness, is no longer available at my command.
         I need to fight this morose "botheration"!
         Approximately 20 years ago when I had no gray hair, I had made yet another attempt to improve myself by purchasing a book called "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. This book compares what is described as a Character Ethic and a Personality Ethic (among many other observances). The Personality Ethic is more concerned with an Image Is Everything type of attitude; superficial quick-fix techniques that utilize social band-aids. The author's premise is that this ethic has predominated American "success literature" over the past 70 years. However,

"In stark contrast, almost all of the literature in the first 150 years (of America) focused on what could be called the Character Ethic as the foundation for success - things like integrity, humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry, simplicity, modesty, and the Golden Rule."

         Upon my very first reading of this Character Ethic paragraph, I immediately thought to myself, "He's describing my father!" (Unfortunately my second thought was that maybe I didn't have to read the rest of the book but only needed to emulate my father's behavior...but I thought better of it since the purpose of the book was to encourage "highly effective people", not highly evasive people).
         So when we recently celebrated my father's 80th birthday at a family reunion, I presented a brief tribute to him based on my admiration of his Character Ethic. After the ceremonies, I began to ponder how my father had gained this ethic through his eight decades of existence (He certainly had never read Mr. Covey's book). Naturally as a Christian, my ponderings floated towards the influence of our heavenly father whose Abiding Presence constantly molds our lives. Since Mr. Covey had conveniently listed some primary traits of the Character Ethic, I explored the Bible for correlation and found the following examples:

>Integrity: In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Psalm 41:12, NIV
Humility: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3, NIV
Fidelity: Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer. Hebrews 13:4, NIV
Temperance: Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you. 1 Peter 1:13, NIV
Courage: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV
Justice: Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Isaiah 1:17, NIV
Patience: A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11, NIV
Etcetera, etcetera.

         You get the picture. Certainly in terms of building character, the Bible is the greatest Self-Help book of all time.
         In these days of eroding morality in both government and business (64 CFOs went to jail last year), when evil conduct seems to pervade virtually every aspect of our lives, the Character Ethic becomes extremely important for us to both maintain and sustain. As I grow older, as my own gray hair becomes more abundant, it is not only my hope but my responsibility to learn these traits from my God so that I in turn can teach them to my children. Then I will have truly earned my "crown of splendor".

Dear Heavenly Father,
     We know that "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children" (Proverbs 17:6, NIV). Help us to build strong families that reflect your glory. Send the Holy Spirit to teach us to become mature Christians that embody the characteristics that are so eloquently defined in your Word.
     And please ease our worry. Our best days are always ahead of us, as long as we have you. Amen.

Contributed by Donald
Sunday September 2, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 40