Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday July 24, 2007

"Dr, Lilly, I'm throwing in the towel, there is no point in continuing." I have heard this or statements like it many times over the years. On more than one occasion I have actually said or felt the same way. Sometimes you just get tired of failing. I know more about failure than success due to my experience. One man, commenting on my railings about the appalling treatment of the Widow Mrs. Dennis, remarked as he tried to justify this atrocious behavior by harping on the faults and failures of one Larry Lilly described me as "a man whose life is marred by several failures."

Well, if such kind remarks from fellow Christians don't cause you to want to fold your tent and head for the hills, your heart must be made of stone rather than flesh.

Yet, I walk with giants and those miserable mother imaged men without faults or failures walk in a world of hypocrisy as only one walked the earth without gathering a few failures along the path to Calvary.

One of histories most famous men stated concerning his personal achievements,

"I define success as going from failure to failure, without loss of enthusiasm."

President Ronald Reagan gave essentially that same advice when he had a plaque placed in view on Air Force One, which proclaimed, "Don't let the children of unwed parents get you down." Okay, President Reagan used one word for "the children of unwed parents."

Life, whether others term it successful or not will have its ups and downs, it triumphs and its utter failures.

Winston Churchill failed so many times over the course of his life that it's a wonder anyone has even heard of him in our time. In his book, "Spiritual Leadership," Henry Blackaby in chapter three, "The Leader's Preparation" gives a barrel of ink to Mr. Churchill. This man, who defined success as "going from failure to failure" while maintaining a good attitude, is a towering giant in the history of the Twentieth Century and perhaps the history of the world. It must be a source of heartache to many that Mr. Churchill's life is marred by failure. I, on the other hand suggest that we pass the humidor, light up and celebrate a little failure every now and then, and if we fail big time, add a parade.

Some years ago, I was listening to the HiFi Joyce and I had received as a gift, the Eight track was playing "The Quest" and I was longingly dreaming the impossible dream. The Great Blonde interrupted my reverie with, "Larry, you know that most dreams are impossible, that's why they are dreams." Since that day I have searched the bulk of English Literature and I have not found such a remark. It appears, though I hate to admit it, that the wife of my youth, one of the few natural born blondes, Joyce D. Lilly, came up with such prose. Concerning our marriage I strut through life without arrogance concerning my choice for a mate. Joyce goes through life with enthusiasm.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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