<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Having gone through minor surgery recently, my mind has been very active in spite of a very inactive body. The following are thoughts that have occurred to me in this unusual state:</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">It has been explained that in religious life there are two states of holiness: one in which ‘the blessing of the Divine grace is perceptibly revealed,’ and another in which ‘grace, as it were, retires and remains hidden.’ I can readily identify with this hidden state at present. This state has been described as one of ‘inward drought and abandonment,’ and may be the result of bodily indisposition or mental weariness. At such times ‘we should hold to God’s word, Whose truth and grace are independent of our changing moods and feelings; and remain confident that even in states of deepest abandonment, God is with us, although with veiled face. This is similar to “hester ponim” – <i>God, hiding His face</i><span style="font-style: normal; ">. Nevertheless, as in the game “Hide and Seek”, if we are persistent and positive, we will find Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">What also occurred to me is that life is like taking a book out from the library. It doesn’t belong to us, but it is there for us to use and enjoy. If we are careless and tear the book, we are responsible to repair it. If we lose the book, we must pay for its value. And if we don’t return it on time, we are fined each day until we do return it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The life analogy as I see it is that our lives are on loan from God. When we are careless and cause damage, we are required to make whatever repairs are necessary. If we throw away our lives, then somehow it will have to be replaced in whatever way the Almighty deems necessary. As far as returning it on time, God takes care of that. However, if for some tragic reason we decide to return it prior to when it is due, the fine imposed may be quite high.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The ideal is to take out a good, worthwhile and meaningful book. Metaphorically, the cover of the book is the hand we are dealt: family, location, health and externals. The content of the book is our choice. The better the choices, the better the book. Even a shabby cover doesn’t take away from the content of the book.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">May our personal books put us in the ultimate Book of Life.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">ri</div></body></html>