To the Editor:

Melissa Hale-Spencer’s editorials always make me think. That’s what editorials are designed to do and Melissa is good. We know that the editorial in the July 21 issue of the Enterprise — “If each contributes what can be spared, the whole is nourished” — made me think and touched my heart! It made me remember why I became a pastor many years ago. (I am 91 now.)

I knew the story of the two travelers making soup in the village, and people catching on and throwing in a carrot here, a potato there, then all could share a delicious soup. It’s all about love and sharing, instead of selfishness, criticism, and even hating. Is there a lesson here for not only you and me, but also our politicians? Has anyone ever heard of the power of positive thinking?

Sure, there’s plenty wrong in our families, our schools, our government, business — you name it. And we can spend our time criticizing and complaining, but what are we going to do positively to fix it, to make it better even in our little corner of the world?

Here we get back to why I became a pastor. After combat in World War II, the business world, and my marriage, I realized my life had no meaning. Then, I rediscovered the Jesus my mother had shown me when I was a little kid. And Jesus had and has one simple answer to life — LOVE! He told his disciples, “Love one another as I have loved you.” He showed them love. He said, “Treat other people the way you would like them to treat you.”

This is not mushy, gushy love. But a love that says, “I respect you and care about you as a fellow human being and a child of God, and I’ll help you any way I can.”

A lady once said to me, “Keen, it’s not that simple.” I replied, “Yes, it is that simple; it’s not easy, but it’s simple — love like Jesus loves.”

So, throw your carrot in the soup and enjoy a life of love.

See what Melissa Hale-Spencer’s editorials do to my thinking? BAM!

Keen Hilton

Baldwinsville, New York

Editor’s note: James Keenholts “Keen” Hilton, an Altamont native, was the pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in the village for 29 years. Hilton and his wife, Margie, now live in Baldwinsville to be with their daughter.