60+40 = 2013

2013 is my 60 and 40 year--lived 60 years, married 40.  Having reached the mid-point of this transitional year, and having a day off after Independence Day, I became "reflective."

I don't consider myself to be a "senior citizen" (big surprise) but I'm guessing most younger folks are thinkin' that way about me (rightly!)...in much the same way I thought about "60 Something's" back in 1978.  While I don't "see" myself that way now, truth is, I can certainly see "that place" from here.

Life is so much shorter than I ever imagined it would be, and so much more than I ever dreamed it could be.  My cup isn't half-full, it overflows..

• In High School a guy named Mark Zier walked into my life and lovingly led me to a life-changing decesion to trust Christ; then he introduced me to a girl who eventually became my for-life companion.
• I have been blessed by that girl, Laura Cherrie, who became my wife (we were both 19), help-mate, mother of and for our children, my best friend and companion, for 40 years and counting!
• Neither of my parents were college grads and when the time came for me to enroll, my father died; there was no money for higher education.  God provided, first at Duke where I received my BA and then at Talbot Seminary where I earned an MDiv, without any student loans.
• God blessed us with two children.  Erin and Joseph have made me so proud because of the people they have become; honest, engaging, generous, interesting, good-hearted young adults; and two of my closest friends.
• Our kids selected two wonderful people to share their lives with, Matthew and Miranda.  They have enriched our lives in so many ways.
• We have two grandsons.  Braden and Kellen make us laugh, give us hope for their future, love us in a special way unique to our role in their lives and enjoy hanging-out with us.
• I have enjoyed two modestly successful careers centered around helping people; for 25 years as their Pastor, and for the last 12, I'm the "good neighbor" that takes the "scarey" out of risk as their State Farm Agent.
• Over the years I've witnessed lives change in long-term, very profound ways; I played a part in that process as a tool in the Master's Hand; what a privilege those moments of been.
• While I have experienced disappointment and (big surprise) betrayal in and from friends, my life has been enriched because of folks who've come alongside and embraced me (changed me) with their friendship.
• I have traveled with people through the most difficult intersections of life, prayed with them and waited; then watched God do what only He can do..."exceeding, abundantly beyond anything we could ask or imagine."
• Laura has loved me and patiently waited for me to become the man she needed and so richly deserves.
• The roles (my work) I have chosen to invest my energy in, have been challenging and rewarding.  Not once have I felt trapped doing what has been my life's work.  It's been too much fun!
• My girlfriend's dad, (future father-in-law) stepped into my life as the man I needed when, at age 17, my father died.  Gene continues to be a rock for me.
• Mentors invested time and tears in me; taught me, listened to me and believed in me. 
• Life has softened me.  Tenderness comes easy today.

I am blessed by a rich tapestry of memories, some good and not.  These confirm what most people eventually realize: there are regrets, there are a few special people and scores of wonderful events; these images remain clear to the smallest detail, I'm smiling.

There has been failure, good fortune and difficulty; pain, lost dreams, heartbreak and victory.  But through it all runs a story; my story, of God's grace transforming me, using me, teaching me and most amazingly, loving me with an everlasting, undeserved love.

Life, so short and so full.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.