What 60+ Years Has Taught Me

My birthday was in April and with each celebration I see more clearly some of the basic realities of my life. For example:

1. I'm not getting better, I'm getting older.

Wine gets better with age but people tend to break down. Good food, exercise, positive attitude are helpful but the sad truth is that nothing works like it used to. It helps when we stop fooling ourselves and just act our age.

2. Family and friends are the most important.

I've had money, excitement and freedom. I've enjoyed challenge, competition and success at most things. However, as think about my family and friends, I realized that no experience or possession surpassed the value and satisfaction derived from a loving wife and children, as well as the deep pleasure enjoyed with long-time friends.

3. Jesus really does love me.

The children's song by the same title says that Jesus loves me because the Bible tells me so. Well I know of the Lord's love from the accounts of His death on my behalf and His resurrection to insure my own. But as the years roll by I am seeing His love for me in so many other places and situations as well. I've begun to fall asleep each night trying to count the ways that He has loved me this very day and have never managed to stay awake long enough to finish the list.

There are a lot of "over the hill" jokes about turning fifty or sixty and my friends are having a good time at my expense. However I've learned that the "hill" I've just come across is the realization of my own mortality and now, because of Christ, the Holy City that I have searched for has finally come more clearly into view.