"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24
Today is my birthday. I am now 44.
1970 was a long, long time ago. It was a heady time. The 60's and the summer of love had just ended, Watergate was still a couple years away, and the Beatles had just recently broke up. The Three Stooges had filmed their last short that sadly would never make it to TV. We had landed on the moon the year before and the Kent State shootings happened that year. That was the world 44 years ago.
In November, my parents were blessed with their firstborn, me. I, apparently, was such a blessing, that my parents would have another child in 1972, my sister. Strangely, they didn't have any kids after that. You can interpret that any way you choose. I blame my sister.
To give you an idea what was popular in 1970, here is a list. In movies, you had Patton, MASH, Love Story, and Airport. On TV, the popular shows were Marcus Welby M.D., Ironside, Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, and Bonanza. While driving in your muscle car, you could belt out tunes like Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel, I want you back by the Jackson 5, or Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson. I think I would have been listening to Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin. Of course, you were speeding around in gas guzzlers without seat belts. This is the world that I was born into.
As I ponder my 44th birthday, it is amazing to look back and see all that has happened. Not just personal events, but things that impacted the world. Things that were unexpected, horrified us, and caused us to celebrate.
Since 1970 in no particular order we have seen the Watergate scandal and resignation of President Nixon (as a side note, Nixon apparently was the first word I could read in the newspapers). There was the Iran hostage crisis and the Tienamen Square massacre in China. The Berlin Wall was knocked down. Communism ended in the USSR (now Russia again) and the tragedy of 9/11.
The world has changed especially technologically. We used to have three or four channels on our black and white or color TV's (used to be that option). We now have hundreds of channels now (but the same amount of watchable shows). We have gone from record albums to 8-tracks to cassette tapes to CD's and then IPOD's for our music. Almost everyone has a computer and can access the internet which can take them anywhere. Video games have gone from little blips (Pong or Atari 2600 anyone?) on the screen to life-like movies now. People now have cell phones so they don't have to wait at home for calls. Although, most cell phones are used for everything but calls nowadays.
The world has become smaller while people have become more rushed and remote. As we've gained more technology and knowledge, we know less about the people in our neighborhoods. Life is constantly moving and more and more in a hurried state. This isn't a critique on what is better, just a state of reality now.
I graduated high school 26 years ago and never thought I would be 44. Not that I thought I would be dead by then, it was just that 40's seemed so far away. Life keeps moving forward and we are brought along on the journey. When I am 65, I will be surprised that I'm that age.
The one thing that I can say at the age of 44 is that I have had many blessings. Has everything gone as I imagined it? No. I was hoping when I was a kid that in my 40's I would be either retired from pro sports or rock n roll. Has there been many ups and downs as I've traveled to 44? Absolutely. But, hindsight gives you the ability to look at things with more perspective. When you are in the moments, it is very difficult to see the bigger picture. What I have seen is God working throughout every moment. Every tear, every smile, and every decision. All the good and bad. He got me through them. I have bruises and scars, but His healing came to me. As time passes, I see what His plans were and continue to be as we move forward. Looking back at the blessings He has provided, gives me hope for the future. I would recommend spending time reflecting on your past, you will be amazed at all the God moments.
As I hit 44, I have been blessed with my wife, family, friends, work, and church. All the experiences have gotten me to this point through the grace of God. I have been shaped and formed throughout my time and continue to be. God still has plans for me and my future. He has never let me down. My journey continues...
Today is my birthday. I am now 44.
1970 was a long, long time ago. It was a heady time. The 60's and the summer of love had just ended, Watergate was still a couple years away, and the Beatles had just recently broke up. The Three Stooges had filmed their last short that sadly would never make it to TV. We had landed on the moon the year before and the Kent State shootings happened that year. That was the world 44 years ago.
In November, my parents were blessed with their firstborn, me. I, apparently, was such a blessing, that my parents would have another child in 1972, my sister. Strangely, they didn't have any kids after that. You can interpret that any way you choose. I blame my sister.
To give you an idea what was popular in 1970, here is a list. In movies, you had Patton, MASH, Love Story, and Airport. On TV, the popular shows were Marcus Welby M.D., Ironside, Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, and Bonanza. While driving in your muscle car, you could belt out tunes like Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel, I want you back by the Jackson 5, or Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson. I think I would have been listening to Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin. Of course, you were speeding around in gas guzzlers without seat belts. This is the world that I was born into.
As I ponder my 44th birthday, it is amazing to look back and see all that has happened. Not just personal events, but things that impacted the world. Things that were unexpected, horrified us, and caused us to celebrate.
Since 1970 in no particular order we have seen the Watergate scandal and resignation of President Nixon (as a side note, Nixon apparently was the first word I could read in the newspapers). There was the Iran hostage crisis and the Tienamen Square massacre in China. The Berlin Wall was knocked down. Communism ended in the USSR (now Russia again) and the tragedy of 9/11.
The world has changed especially technologically. We used to have three or four channels on our black and white or color TV's (used to be that option). We now have hundreds of channels now (but the same amount of watchable shows). We have gone from record albums to 8-tracks to cassette tapes to CD's and then IPOD's for our music. Almost everyone has a computer and can access the internet which can take them anywhere. Video games have gone from little blips (Pong or Atari 2600 anyone?) on the screen to life-like movies now. People now have cell phones so they don't have to wait at home for calls. Although, most cell phones are used for everything but calls nowadays.
The world has become smaller while people have become more rushed and remote. As we've gained more technology and knowledge, we know less about the people in our neighborhoods. Life is constantly moving and more and more in a hurried state. This isn't a critique on what is better, just a state of reality now.
I graduated high school 26 years ago and never thought I would be 44. Not that I thought I would be dead by then, it was just that 40's seemed so far away. Life keeps moving forward and we are brought along on the journey. When I am 65, I will be surprised that I'm that age.
The one thing that I can say at the age of 44 is that I have had many blessings. Has everything gone as I imagined it? No. I was hoping when I was a kid that in my 40's I would be either retired from pro sports or rock n roll. Has there been many ups and downs as I've traveled to 44? Absolutely. But, hindsight gives you the ability to look at things with more perspective. When you are in the moments, it is very difficult to see the bigger picture. What I have seen is God working throughout every moment. Every tear, every smile, and every decision. All the good and bad. He got me through them. I have bruises and scars, but His healing came to me. As time passes, I see what His plans were and continue to be as we move forward. Looking back at the blessings He has provided, gives me hope for the future. I would recommend spending time reflecting on your past, you will be amazed at all the God moments.
As I hit 44, I have been blessed with my wife, family, friends, work, and church. All the experiences have gotten me to this point through the grace of God. I have been shaped and formed throughout my time and continue to be. God still has plans for me and my future. He has never let me down. My journey continues...
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