Discipleship Bonhoeffer writes of discipleship and incense rises in a church this morning. I decide to sell my car to be free of its endless needs; bound then by bus and train, schedule of ship and plane. What is required of me? Dietrich says - out of prewar Germany - obedience before belief, belief before obedience. I look back at five years; Through Grace I found the Gift, Through Gift I found God's Grace. And not cheap. Costly. If I look at sixty months instead of days or weeks, perhaps the pattern is revealed. I gave up job (before a Christmas long ago) because a man - a child - was killed. Neighbor as self? I gave up marriage before an Easter long ago because that love was dead. To follow Him? And went back to job, to teaching, to loving children and searched for a new love, not Him at all. And each arc that leapt proved fruitless, barren until this Spring when Jesus came again. I have said, and again this morning, I have dedicated my life to Christ. Some try not to hear me say that. Loving friends decide I have been so hurt I seize now a faithful Lover. I agree, but He is more than that. My mother says "She has taken a year off to write" and that makes such sense. People nod. The artist in the garret rings reasonable bells. But I have taken a life off to write about Christ's love. How does one in this wrenching time dedicate a soul to God? I will find out. I will find out. Chicago, 1975