book excerpt

A military school chemistry instructor had a great impact on my periods of doubt. In the lab one afternoon, he said to us, “Young men, do you think any of these chemical reactions happen by accident?” No one said anything but all of us were thinking, “What’s he up to?” “I know this is a difficult question,” he said. “But you are smart or you would not have been admitted into this school.” He let that sink in then asked, “Could anything have happened by accident?” One by one, our teenaged brains began to struggle with his questions. “Were you an accident of nature?” he asked. “Was the cadet standing beside you an accident of nature?” We looked at each other. We were dressed in uniform but all of us were individuals. “None of this is an accident,” he said. “It is the result of conscious, Divine design.” He turned and walked out of the lab. But I can still feel the impact of his words.

This is an excerpt from Editor Jerry Bellune’s new book, “Your Search for Life’s Meaning.” Jerry and a dozen other authors will sign their books at the Lexington Library 11 am - 2 pm Saturday, Dec. 1, to raise money for Turning Pages adult literacy tutoring. Please plan to join us.