It is only my opinion, but J. D. Salinger’s Franny and Zooey, may document the most neurotic fictional family an author can create. In short, the Glass family is a mess. The Glass’ seven children each appeared on a long-running radio program before moving on to adult life. The clan experienced tragedy, one son was killed in an accident, another committed suicide. The parents and surviving adult children struggled as a result.
Franny, the baby, like her siblings tried to find peace and purpose for life. It was a frustrating experience. She tried several approaches, including a confessional prayer which deepened the darkness of her spiritual journey. Zooey, the next-oldest sibling lovingly, but impatiently, plied his best amateur psychoanalyst skills, but failed. His best efforts left his baby sister in worse condition than ever.
And then, in a fit of brilliance Zooey remembered Seymour, the oldest brother, and his last minute counsel when Zooey was about to leave for the studio for another performance. Seymour ordered his younger sibling, “Shine your shoes!” “Shine my shoes? Why? I will be on radio and no one ever sees my shoes!” Seymour responded, “Do it for the fat lady.” In the burst of insight at a critical moment in Franny’s struggle, Zooey said, “My fat lady sat on the porch in a wicker rocker. She had heavy legs with bad veins. My fat lady was dying of cancer. I shined my shoes and have been doing it ever since.” And, then, Zooey added, “I’ll tell you a terrible secret. Are you listening to me? There isn’t anyone out there who isn’t Seymour’s Fat Lady... Don’t you know that? Don’t you know that ... secret yet? And don’t you know listen to me, now – don’t you know who the Fat Lady really is? ... Ah, buddy, Ah buddy. It’s Christ Himself. Christ Himself, buddy.”
My father, a rather simple peasant by this world’s measurements, knew Salinger’s morality lesson wrapped in the sophistication of The New Yorker, and associations in the publishing world. When I asked Dad why he was as fastidious about work in closets, where few people would ever pay any attention and his work would never be noted, Dad said, “I know, and God knows, and that is what is important.” Saint Paul wrote, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) In short, we need to know the ultimate audience before whom we are living life. The audience, the One who ultimately matters, is Jesus. In church Sunday, Titus Two was one of the Scripture passages read aloud in the congregation. The same truth is amplified, reinforced, and urged upon us by the Holy Spirit.
I fell asleep, and then awoke this morning, with the Franny and Zooey story. Paul’s counsel, rumbling around in my spirit with Salinger’s characters. A childhood song was stirred into the batch of worthy morning musing. I wish we could sing it again – for old time sake, and for Jesus.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Have a great day. And, remember, we are performing for an audience of One!
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