A while back, I was asked to define success. Sometimes, when I am queried about a subject I answer quickly, perhaps too quickly. This time I didn't. I declined to answer at all, except to say, " Gotta think about that one..."

So, I've been thinking and I find there is no one answer.

Recently, I heard an old song on WKHX that reminded of one reason I suppose I have achieved some measure of personal success. I'm sorry I do not recall the artist, but the song was entitled "If Jesus Came To Your House."

As a child and teen growing up in southwest Georgia, I occassionally would hear that number on the radio, and always, I do mean always, it would hold my attention. The song suggested that Jesus might one day show up at my door. And then it asked if I'd leave him standing there while I rushed to make my home presentable for such an honored guest. It asks what the listener would serve such an esteemed one. One thing I always knew. If he showed and was hungry, he would have to sit in the kitchen while I cooked because I had a million questions for him and I wouldn't want to waste a minute. Better yet I would hope there were cold cuts in the house so we could just make a sandwich and sit and talk without any interruptions.

Over time I came to realize Christ was always with me. He had promised He would be. Remember his words, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me... But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go I will send Him to you... And He the Spirit of Truth, will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak of His own initiative, but whatever he hears He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify Me, for He shall take of Mine and disclose it to you..."

(I have liberally pulled the above passages from the 16th chapter of John's Gospel for the purpose of this column, but please check out these words within the context in which John recorded them. The whole Gospel is awesome!)

I suppose what I have wanted most in life has been answers to my questions. I have longed for knowledge about things, understanding of so many circumstances, and for wisdom to know what is real and what isn't, what matters and what doesn't. I always thought if Jesus stopped by He could give me those answers. Little did I realize that not only would He come to visit me in the form of His Spirit (the Helper), but He was willing to hang out with me and go everywhere I go.

When you reach that conclusion, when you finally understand that He is with you all the time, it influences every aspect of you life. You better bet I have asked myself many times before I did something "what would Christ think?" I have wondered how would he feel about my actions. I knew without a doubt that He'd know, so there have been occasions when I have opted not to act (or to act) because I did not want to hurt him, or make him ashamed of me. And His Spirit does, indeed, lead me to the truth and give me many answers...

Now, on to another factor that has played a major role in whatever degree of success I may now know. Early in life, it was very important for me to likeactually, to lovethe person I saw when I looked in the mirror. I have not always liked her complexion, the way her hair would fall on a given day, or the double chin that reminded me too often what too many chocolates or Cheez-its can do. But basically I have been able to hold my head up and face that woman every day with pride and love... I am happy about that.

No discussion of success would be shaping up without some mention of the rocking chair on the front porch when I'm eighty. Thirty more years and I'll be ready. I don't really want to retire until then and I may change my mind about settling down at that point. But, if I choose to rock, I know I want those rocking chair days to bathe me in good memories. I do not want them laced with regret over some thing, or things, I did, or did not do.