Years ago my mother told me how her father chose workers. If he was looking for a teenager to lug rocks in his garden, or spread mulch, he had but one criteria. If the back of the boy's neck was leathery and brown, he'd hire him. If the front of his neck was tan he wouldn't. 

 

Pop pop's thinking was that he wanted a kid who had his shoulders bent to manual labor. Details about how the stones should fit, and the difference between weeds and flowers could be taught. But if the boy spent the summer lounging at the beach, forget it. 

 

A friend told a story about how she got a job in a bird store. While she was not the most experienced candidate in terms of knowing the seed preferences of various species, she had one thing that made her stand out. She smiled. The boss decided that friendliness mattered when it came to serving customers, and anyone could learn the facts needed. Kindness is not so easily taught. 

 

There is a video about what happens to us when we die. Since I am much closer to the end of life than I am to the beginning, such things have grown in importance. Will I have what it takes to be chosen? How is my spiritual resume? 

 

Hard work seems like it belongs high on the list. Also compassion toward others. If I make mistakes about ritual, or my understanding is flawed, God can work with me. 

 

Here is a sweet story from the book Faith, by Emanuel Swedenborg. It conveys a brief conversation between an angel and a newcomer to heaven's gates.