Ecclesiastes has always been my favorite book in the Bible, but I was in my eighth decade before I really understood it.

I always knew one must use to the fullest the gifts and opportunities of youth, and I did that.

But it is only in my eighties that I know the greatest burden of old age is not the infirmities, nor he death of one's contemporaries and loved ones, but the wisdom to understand and knowledge to know that human folly keeps repeating in every generation, as surely as the sun also rises.

One must wonder how Heaven is arranged. The eternal life that most people pray for is based on pride and fear. Pride to be among the chosen, wearing a crown in the company of God. Fear of nonexistence, or of eternal punishment.

The Scriptures say that for God, a thousand years pass like a watch in the night. But then why did He create this world to enjoy? I would think that one year is a million of His years, enjoying a million extraordinary lives that are being played in His Great Game of Life.

And what will we be doing during eternity? Maybe living anew a million lives. I don't know.

But an eternity sitting around in a crown among all the other people with crowns, telling each other how we got our crowns, is not the Eternity the author of Ecclesiastes might choose. He might choose to keep beginning afresh, playing new roles in God's Great Game of Life.

And at the end of every life, the revelation to Lady Julian of Norwich will be fulfilled:
"And all will be well."

May the Holy Spirit inspire, guide, protect and provide on your journey in life.

May you have time for Blessed Solitude in which to commune with the Holy Spirit for wisdom and serenity.