c. 2007 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) Year-end means a parade of “tops” _ top athletes of 2007, top news stories, top movies, top mutual funds, and more, until a year is being remembered by its superlatives.

I’d prefer to remember 2007 by lessons learned. Those lessons, not admiration for a quarterback or golfer, are what I will carry forward into 2008.

Moreover, my lessons need to be personal. So do yours. Summaries of cultural, political or economic trends don’t truly shape one’s life.

Here, then, are the lessons I learned in 2007, offered as an invitation for you to examine what you learned this year.

I learned, first, that it is essential to follow one’s dream, even at the risk of spectacular failure. In 2007, four decades after allowing the wish to form, I returned to New York City to live. It has meant profound changes in our lives, from adjusting to smaller living space to co-existing with noise and crowds. It could flame out tomorrow. But every day feels precious, a treasure in itself, not time spent waiting for something else to occur.

I learned, second, that family is the greatest treasure. As exciting as Manhattan can be, the best moments of the day are eating breakfast with my family and gathering again at the end of the day. An evening of pasta and charades with family surpasses any of the city’s cultural gems.

I learned, third, that having meaningful work to do is a blessing. I start each day with a writing assignment that I value and proceed on to church work where I am making a difference. If I could write any script for our troubled society, it would be that we help people find jobs where they feel productive and valued.

I learned, fourth, that walking is better than driving. We sold our cars before moving to New York. Now I typically walk four miles a day. I feel healthier and safer, and I am not spending $1,300 a month for car payments, insurance and gasoline. I don’t worry about my teenage son being out with drunken drivers.

I learned, fifth, that when a church works _ when it takes worship and food to the homeless, greets strangers, sings joyfully, provides safe places for people to meet, welcomes all, helps the wealthy be generous, speaks challenging truths, loves children _ it is a thing of incomparable beauty.

I learned, sixth, that God cares passionately for those who are willing to try: try to learn, try to love, try to make a difference, try to sing, try to pray, try to serve. God isn’t a scorekeeper of accomplishment or a judge of acceptability. Smug Bible Belt assumptions about victory for the self-proclaimed righteous are simply wrong.

I learned, seventh, that making a difference matters far more than making money or making waves. Dreamers, unite! Let’s help God to free those paralyzed by fear of failure and enslaved by self-absorption.

I learned, eighth, that the darkness never stops assailing us, seducing us, causing us to doubt ourselves, inviting us into self-destruction in exchange for comfort and safety.

I learned, finally, that I don’t need to get my way in all things. To avoid collision, oncoming pedestrians each need to step aside.

(Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the author of “Just Wondering, Jesus,” and the founder of the Church Wellness Project, http://www.churchwellness.com. His Web site is http://www.morningwalkmedia.com.)

KRE/PH END EHRICH600 words

A photo of Tom Ehrich is available via https://religionnews.com.