50 Things I Have Learned in 50 Years

Today is my 18263th day on earth (if I got the leap years right).

50 years of life. Wow.

I remember being at a friend's 50th birthday party many years ago wondering what it would be like to turn 50.

Here I am.

Nothing is really different. I still felt the same this morning when I woke up.

50 is just a number. A mile marker. But it certainly lets you know that you have been on the road for quite a few miles. And that your warranty is long expired.

As I sit here and reflect on 50 years of life, here are 50 random things that I have learned or observed so far.

1. Life moves quickly…and quicker as you get older.

2. I can vividly remember events from my childhood days better than I can remember what I did last week.

3. Reflecting on my childhood almost feels like I am observing another life.

4. Life was simpler when I was younger.

5. Growing up in a small town was a blessing.

6. Riding your bike alone on a dark road between two graveyards is scary.

7. Nostalgia can make the past seem idyllic.

8. It is easier to eat beef when you didn't know the cow.

9. God's creation is awesome…but unfortunately less appreciated as you get older.

10. Good childhood buddies stick in your mind but are hard to stay connected to as life moves on.

11. Parents who stay faithful to each other and to their family are a rare gift.

12. Being the youngest in a large family gives you a crash course on relationships and life.

13. Seeing an older brother make a radical change in his life, going from a pot-smoking hippie to a devoted Christ follower, impacts you and everyone in your family.

14. I am thankful that I trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior at a young age.

15. Scripture memory is a discipline that shouldn't be abandoned as you get older.

16. Church business meetings can skew a young believer's view of the Christian life.

17. The adolescent years are difficult and confusing…and I can't even imagine what they are like in today's culture!

18. Typing in your initials for a high score on Galaga felt like a major accomplishment…even though it wasn't.

19. One choice can change the entire trajectory of your life.

20. Going away for college grew me up quickly.

21. The 80's were a great decade. And the Commodore 128 was a powerful computer.

22. Being on your own helps you appreciate your parents.

23. Walking into a church where you don't know anyone is an intimidating experience.

24. Failure shapes you more than success.

25. Living and learning is good…but learning and living is better.

26. Marry someone that you enjoy spending the day with.

27. A good wife is more precious than rubies (Proverbs 31:10).

28. Friendships with older couples are a blessing.

29. I hate cancer.

30. I still miss my sister.

31. Being honest about death teaches us about life.

32. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we really have no hope.

33. Watching a birth really is watching a miracle.

34. Marriage taught me how selfish I am. Parenting taught me how impatient I am.

35. Being told as a new parent, "Enjoy these years because they go by so quickly," really doesn't make sense until your children are older.

36. Looking at old pictures of my boys creates a weird mixture of sorrow and joy.

37. As you get older, you tend to look back more.

38. As you get older, you groan more.

39. As you get older, you itch more.

40. As you get older, your hair leaves the places you want it to be and grows in the places that you don't want it to be.

41. As you get older, the weather forecast becomes more interesting.

42. As you get older, you can become more cynical of the world…and of others…if you are not careful.

43. As you get older, you long for some things to stay the same.

44. Contentment is a learned skill (Philippians 4:11-13).

45. Being thankful is the secret to joy.

46. Humbling yourself is the secret to relationships.

47. Gaining an eternal perspective is the secret to life.

48. Realizing that God is in control…and you are not…is the secret to rest.

49. Every day is a gift of God's grace.

50. I have tasted and seen that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)