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Take inventory of life

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Editor,

The year-end is on us. There is no time when reflection on the past seems more appropriate than the year-end. Accounts are finalized, books are balanced, inventories are tabulated and a general review is taken. Would it be proper to assume that what is done at the office at year-end would also be suitable as a review of our personal activities during 2013? Recently, over the course of the past three or four years, I reviewed my life, wrote and published my memoirs “Jesus the talk of the Town.” The time was well-invested as I endeavored to recall events of 75 years; fortunately, since 1958, I had written and saved daily notations of my activities and interpersonal relationships which enabled me to recount numerable incidents and mostly joyful experiences. 

However, there were some very unpleasant memories, which today remind me of a story in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis chapter 40 and 41. It’s the story of Joseph’s prison experience. There were two other prisoners with him who during those days had discomforting nightmares. Joseph gave both the baker and the butler the interpretation of their dreams which ultimately happened just as Joseph had declared; the baker was decapitated, the butler was exonerated and Joseph remained incarcerated. A day came when the butler remembered his promise to Joseph, that he would speak well of him to the pharaoh upon his release from prison. He had totally forgotten his promise. His exclamation, “I do remember my faults this day” KJV. The NLT expresses it, “Today I have been reminded of my failure.” 

Isn’t it true, we forget the things we ought to remember and often remember the things we ought to forget? It’s a common fault. We forget vows, promises and answers to prayer and remember hurtful relationships and the hard painful words. There is a line in God’s book that says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” Psalm 139:23-24 NLT. Let the inventory begin. 

Harvey A. Town 
Polson

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