Recently an Adventist Review reader wrote me a polite

but troubled letter. The Review staff seem good people, she

said, so surely they must have a reason for not running

"Dear Miriam" in every issue. This reader speaks for many:

those who can t get enough of "Dear Miriam."

If a few readers aren t enthusiastic, I m not troubled by

them, and I suspect Miriam Wood isn t either. A lifetime of

forlning opinions and expressing them has taught her the

futility of trying to please everybody.

Not that Miriam invites controversy or welcomes it.

Rather, she seeks to answer in a redemptive mode the

questions that pour in from a hundred lives. She tries to

help every sincere searcher, not to stir up a storm.

And how well she goes about it! Her words come "always

full of grace, seasoned with salt . . . [knowing] how to

answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6, NIV). They show unfail-

ing good humor and uncommon good sense.

"Dear Miriam" is such a strong column because she is

always herself. Lively, animated, nimble-minded--Miriam

Wood is one of my favorite people. I love to listen to her.

And "Dear Miriam" is authentic Miriam Wood.

Miriam is a Seventh-day Adventist whose faith per-

meates life. With its many strengths, "Dear Miriam" above

all seeks to marry religion with life. I think it succeeds

admirably.

Preceded by sixteen books, previous columns, and