As I enter this stage of my life I’m listening to discern what it will be like. I don’t sense so much that there are new mountains to be climbed or great enterprises to be won. There is more a sense of “being there” for family and others, to come along side of more than leading the charge. I’m continuing to read in John Eldredge’s book, Fathered by God. Here is the section I was reading today. I really spoke to me.
“There is something a man who has lived a full life carries with him that cannot be learned from a younger source, however smart that source might be. The wealth of his experience is part of it, an essential part. But I think you’ll notice that true sages offer the wisdom they’ve gained through experience with a sort of humility and tenderness, a graciousness I believe is best described as compassion.
It is a matter of presence. A sage does not have to be heard, as a warrior might, does not have to rule, as a king might. There is room in his presence for who you are and where you are. There is understanding. He has no agenda, and nothing now to lose. What he offers, he offers with kindness, and discretion, knowing by instinct those who have ears to hear and those who don’t. Thus his words are offered in the right measure at the right time, to the right person. He will not trouble you with things you do not need to know, nor burden you with things that are not yet yours to bear, nor embarrass you with exposure for shortcomings you are not ready yet to overcome, even though he sees all of that. For he is wise, and compassionate. “
Chapter 8. Sage – Just before the section the section “Undeveloped and Wounded”. (I’m reading from a Kindle which doesn’t show the page numbers.)
Tags: being there · compassion · Fathered by God · graciousness · humility · John Eldredge · king · sage · tenderness · warrior · wisdom · Wisdom with Compassion · wiseNo Comments
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