Someone To Watch Over Me

The personal journey of Judge Beisner as told to and written by Jim Croft

page 1      page 2 

  Have you ever considered the possibility that factors beyond your own diligence, talents and business acumen have contributed to your successes?  I did.  While in my late forties I discovered that Someone had been watching over me.  The hand of God had been deftly orchestrating strategic events in my life, including my professional career.

Early Successes

  My parents owned a successful catering and bar business in Queens , New York .  Shortly after my graduation from law school in 1968 I took over the management of the family business.  At the same time, I became an Assistant District Attorney for Queens County .  The combined incomes afforded my wife, two young daughters and me a livelihood that was substantially above many of my peers.

  From 1971 through early 1973, I was in charge of the organized crime unit that investigated the infiltration of legitimate businesses by crime syndicates.  The team consisted of four NYC detectives and me.  It was a very exciting time in my life and legal career.  Like many ambitious people my primary focus was on my career path.  My commitment to my family became somewhat blurred during that period.  Fortunately my wife, Inger, patiently endured my absenteeism. 

  It became abundantly clear that if I persisted at that pace my marriage would be jeopardized.  I knew that I was confronted with the decision to shift my priorities.  In 1973 I sold my interests in the family business and accepted a position as an Assistant NYS Attorney General in Poughkeepsie , NY .  Several years later I opened my private law practice.  The move out of NYC provided me more time with the family and a better environment in which to raise our daughters.  However, it still took time to moderate my need for success.

Later Triumphs 

  Things began to move in a manner that catapulted me into the political arena.  I served as counsel to the NYS Assembly minority, Chairman of the local Zoning Board, Vice Chair and eventually Chair of the County Republican organization.  By then Inger and I had three daughters, two of whom were teenagers.  Within 10 years of moving to Dutchess County I was elected to the NYS Supreme Court.  At the age of forty, I was the youngest judge ever elected to that court from my district of five counties.  I was elected for two consecutive fourteen-year terms.

  In the midst of my years serving as a justice I began to ponder why I had been so fortunate.  Like many businessmen from traditional Christian backgrounds, I had a nodding acquaintance with God.  However, I had no inklings that He had the remotest interests or relevance in my chosen profession.  To the contrary, my infrequent exposures to church gave me the hint that Heavenly approval and a marketplace vocation were mutually exclusive.  For the sake of my family we started attending church more frequently.  Inger became intensely spiritually minded and I tagged along.  The inner sense that something beyond me had been guiding my successes became more prominent.  The combination of exposure to diverse Bible teachers and my personal explorations into the Bible transformed my former perspective about the Lord’s uninvolved remoteness.  I delightfully discovered that the Someone who had been watching over my life was the Holy Spirit.  Insights came to me that greatly expanded my worldview.  Perhaps they might do the same for you.

 

page 1      page 2