It was her birthday and I was not going to miss it. It was easy to spot me among all those 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. I was the proud older man with the perpetual smile whose only job that day was to hold the door open for 30 kids who came to celebrate Lindley’s 4th birthday by watching a private showing of “Cinderella.” I was reminded again of the apparent endless energy these kindergartners possess. What a treat for any grandfather. I don’t want to be 4 again, but I do want to watch her celebrate as many birthdays as I can.
In his WORKS, John Wesley tells us a little about one of his birthdays
and how he felt on his birthday. He writes, “I am seventy-three years
old and far abler to preach than I was at three-and-twenty. What
natural means has God used to produce so wonderful an effect?”
Then, as he often did, Wesley proceeded to answer his own question as
he listed the things he does to maintain his high-performance regimen:
“(1) Continual exercise and change of air, by traveling more than 4,000
miles a year. (2) Constant rising at four. (3) The ability, if
ever I want, to sleep immediately. May I add lastly, evenness of
temper? I feel and grieve; but, by the grace of God, I fret at nothing.
But still the help that is done upon earth, he doth.”
John Wesley knew what his lifestyle required, and he provided for it.
Not many can claim to live up to the demands he put on himself. But it
made for a successful ministry for him and a disciplined model for
those of us who follow. Thank you, John Wesley, and happy birthday
Lindley Clair Williams.
Craven E. Williams
President
Greensboro College
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Dr. Williams Profiled in "In the Spotlight" Magazine
