The Best Spiritual Writing 2002
Fifth in a series
Edited by Philip Zaleski  

      In putting together his series, The Best Spiritual Writing, Philip Zaleski pores over many magazines, books and newspapers to cull the very best spiritual articles, stories and poems. Of his criteria in choosing which stories become a part of his annual book, three are paramount. First the article, story or poem must be uplifting. Second, it must not attack any person’s religion. Third, it must be well-written.

      All of these articles meet those criteria. However, in my personal opinion, good writing should mean interesting writing. Some of these left me wondering what I’d read, sent me scrambling to the dictionary to understand words that could have been replaced with more common ones. One or two were so boringly-written that I found myself nodding off in the middle.

      Most of them, though, were quite interesting. I especially liked “Higher Education,” the story of Perry Reese, Jr., the black basketball coach who went to a white Mennonite school and smashed the race barriers by winning the hearts of the kids and parents as well as the games. “One Man on a Tractor Far Away” is the beautiful story of one man and his life lived in harmony with God. The final story, “The Oneness of Music,” is the story of a man’s life made beautiful when he learned how to truly listen to music.

      There is much to be gained by reading this book. I learned how to keep my own life in harmony with God by simply doing His will. There is something for everyone here. And, while you are enjoying The Best Spiritual Writing 2002, look at the previous four. You’ll find yourself richly blessed.