Today I turn 51.
That’s a big number…representing a lot of days on this earth. About 18,626 to be exact.
A year ago I compiled a list of 50 random things that I have learned or observed so far in life. I thought I would add one more this year.
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. The quality of your life depends on the quality of your relationships.
30. I hate cancer. And 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, for some strange reason, the weather forecast becomes more interesting.
42. As you get older, you can easily 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)
51. Hitting the wall can be God’s way of bringing you to a better place. Last year was difficult in many ways. I had some health issues, emotional struggles, and memories from my past that I needed to deal with. But God carried me through…and my church gave me space and grace to heal. Out of that experience, I have learned to rest more in God’s presence, develop better rhythms in life, take better care of this ol’ body of mine, limit the distractions of this world, and enjoy the good gifts of God’s’ grace. No one wants to hit a wall…but sometimes it is the only way that God can get your attention and point you toward a new direction in life.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever! (Psalm 118:1, 29)
Awe…thank you Steve! I really enjoy reading your 50 plus 1 observations about life. Your way of expressing the lessons learned and specific life events is endearing to me. In many ways I feel like I’m reading my own journey. I am 24 years ahead of you and yet our lives are amazingly similar. Your comment #24 about failure was an encouragement to me. I know the most painful events have shown me the best God wants to do for me.Hope that makes sense. Love you so much as my pastor…Cathi smith
Thanks, Cathi! Yes, this journey through life probably shares some similarities with believers in Christ. God refines you and teaches you to rely on Him more and more.