After some months of intense reflection, I’ve come to the conclusion it’s time for my insanity to retire.
The evidence before me is so overwhelming that I’m not sure I have any other choice.
Looking back over my years, I can’t help but notice how my insanity has been a positive thing in my life. I never would’ve thought this way before, but after considerable thinking, I believe this is so.
I’ve discovered how effective it has been in my life and in my relationships. At the time, I never would’ve thought so.
For example, I may be discussing something with someone, a friend of mine, and they look at me rather strangely and say, “Are you insane?”
Quite often, I’ll be explaining something to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, and she’ll give me one of her looks with hands on her hips and say very dramatically, “Are you insane?”
In retrospect, that explains a lot of things in my life that, at the time, I didn’t understand. Now, because I’ve accepted my insanity, everything I do I can explain. That’s sure satisfying.
Another positive side to insanity is you don’t have to live up to the standards of everybody around you. All my friends believe they’re perfect and expect me to match that.
For years, I’ve tried. I’ve discovered, however, there are no perfect roots anywhere in my life.
Now that I understand the insanity aspect of my life, I no longer have to live up to the standards of others.
I can relax and enjoy life as it is without fulfilling other people’s expectations, nor being intimidated by them. When I understood that, my life took on a very positive attitude.
I know it’s a good idea for me to retire my insanity, but I’m sure going to miss it. I can’t remember the times when, at the end of the week, I sat in my easy chair drinking some coffee and reflecting on all the insane elements of my week. Those were wonderful reflections and encouraged me.
Perfection is now going to be a factor in my consideration. I’m waiting for the day Martha looks at me with both hands on her hips and says, “Are you perfect or what?”
That certainly will be a turning point in my retirement from insanity. She’s always noticed my insanity. Now let’s see if she notices my perfection.
I confess I’ll allow my insanity to occasionally leave retirement for moments. After all, life’s hard without something to support it.
I know I’ll miss my insanity, but I’m going to have to get used to it. Life goes on, and I need to keep up.
Starting on my perfection journey, I was reminded of an interesting verse of scripture.
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 3: 12
I agree with Paul I’ve not reached perfection, but I’m striving for that perfect in Christ. I’m not influenced by the standard of others, only by God’s reflection in Christ.
Dr. Snyder is a former pastor who lives with wife Martha, in Ocala, Fla. Contact him by email at jamessnyder51@ gmail.com.
