Today, 70 and Sunny. So what’s the forecast?

I'll just say this up-front, this post isn’t about the weather. It’s about my body turning 70 years of age and my mind somehow thinking I am about 20. Yeah, a 20 year old inside a 70 year old body, that makes me a “Baby Boomer.” The guy inside this body seems to be stuck back in time in a lot of ways. I appear to be confused and living on the movie set of “Back to the Future.” There are all these fantastic devices all around me: cell phones, C-Pap machines (not me, but my friends), iPads, huge TV screens to watch really big movies, an automobile that get 30 miles to the gallon, kiwi for breakfast, watches that give me my coordinates, people who jump off bridges using bungee cords, thousands of photos on “thumb-drives,” and people living with other people’s hearts. I love them, except, there’s Siri. She doesn’t understand a word I say. Maybe, it’s my mid-western-southern accent.

Why should I be amazed? I am the kid who watched episodes of Flash Gordon on a ten-inch TV. The interstate highway system had one of its first stretches near my home and Disney captured my imagination every Sunday night. My mother had a spin-cycle washer and the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. Our two-tone blue Bel-Air got 7 or 8 miles to the gallon, and gasoline was 29 cents a gallon. You could even go to a move and get air conditioned while you watched 101 Dalmatians. I heard Elvis sing Heartbreak Hotel and then The Beatles.

At 17 the impossible happened, I witnessed the assassination of a President and then saw his alleged killer die on TV. I graduated from high school. Howdy Doody didn’t prepare me for that, or for the never-ending Vietnam War. I represented the hope of a World War. I grew up in the “Cold War.” There was the Cuban Missile Crisis and there were hula hoops and newspapers to deliver. There were conspiracy theories and two new flags in rapid succession. It was crazy. We even saw guys walking on the moon. So why can’t I tell Siri to tell me what channel the Volunteers are playing on my hulking TV without my phone deciding to call some random friend? Tell me.

So much for the ideas and gadgets of my youth. I now wrestle with the host of new countries created by the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the re-naming of countries all over Africa and what was once scandalous in my youth now flaunted by anyone capable of flaunting some difference. And too, I marvel at the progress we have made with many of the injustices in the world, and why new ones have emerged where none should be. Some things don’t make much sense. We have freedom of beliefs, but continue to be sold again and again in the news and media what has already been bought. Whatever happened to simple humor? Some things just don’t make sense. I guess, on those things I need to pray for more grace.

You’d think in 70 years someone could stop all the chaos and confusion and allow the dust to settle so we could see where we are. But then I think about it and understand that the “cutting edge” of my generation just paved the way for those who have come after me. We didn’t stand still, nor does the current age, so why should we expect those behind us to sit still either. My parents’ generation, also referred to as “The Greatest Generation” didn’t stand still. They had their own achievements. They were all about saving the world and making it a better place to live. They endured the Great Depression, the “Big War,” and the Korean Conflict. They saw my grandparents get electric lights, bought their first refrigerator, had their first TV, made their first phone call, bought their first car, a hi-fi and wanted their children to get a good education. They gave me a ride that helped shaped who I am. “What a long, strange trip it’s been.”

I suppose these changes (I’m really not complaining) will persist and confuse me until my last breath. Maybe the answer is the same as the answer my father gave me after I asked him a question about family history. His response, “It is what it is.” I do now what The Beatles advised, “Let it be.” God has authority over everything.

I’ll admit, I’ve been blessed. First, I am blessed by have a relationship with a gracious God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean I am not challenged. I’ve faced plenty of problems. Everyone I’ve ever known has had problems of some sort or other – financial, relational, physical, and emotional. I’ve had serious health issues. Family members I love had had them all. But the relationship that helped me get through them all has been with Christ. The Bible has some serious “Emergency Numbers” (type “Biblical Emergency Numbers” in your browser). His promises have helped me. Remember when Mary (the mother of Jesus) was told she was pregnant? Even though she was troubled by the event she knew she was blessed. I’m not Mary, but I too am blessed. Like Mary, I have a precious family, wonderful friends, a purpose and a future.

Fact is, aren’t we all called to live in the kingdom and to live a blessed life (Matthew 5.1-12)?

So, now, let me tell you, my plans. This is the “sunny” part of this post. I suppose it is a sort of “forecast.” To set my bucket down is to “give it up.” I’ve seen it happen to others. I’m not going down the road of Ecclesiastes 12 so easily. I grew up on rock and roll, Motown, country and R&B. I haven’t disappeared yet. I’m running with those who are “engaged” with life. I don’t plan to disengage so easily.

My plans? Well, I plan to be in God’s Word and spend time with believing friends who encourage me and keep me on course. I plan to spend time with my grandchildren. I want to play board games with them, shoot a few hoops and embarrass myself on a bicycle. I want to host cousin’s camps for them. I want to be a part of their lives and take them on trips. Yes, I want to travel – north, south, east and west. I want to do mission trips with my church, help people in need and do a little good, connect with people and accomplish something bigger than myself. I want to run another half-marathon. I’ve already registered for one. I want to hike. I’ve got some trails listed in my computer with trailhead locations and trail distances. My media cards are ready. My camera is ready. I going to document the beauty that I see around me. I’ve got friends I want to laugh with on the trail and laugh at sometimes because of the goofy things we do and say. These are sure to be “sunny” days.

Oh, I expect some less than sunny days too. I know the words of Solomon are true. Not every moment is wonderful. There will be times I have overcast days too. My grandson will probably win a few more games of Connect Four, because I am “Old.” Then to, to appease my wife, I need to clean out some drawers and closets and lighten the load on a few book shelves. So be it. It’s life.

Well, here’s to becoming 70 and a sunny forecast. Let’s do this as a parade!

Scripture

Psalm 73.24 - God gives purpose and direction.
Ecclesiastes 3.1-11 – There is a time for everything.
Ecclesiastes 8.7 – No one knows nor do we know the future.
Ecclesiastes 12.1-7 – In our old age, we lose our sight, hearing, teeth, taste and ability to walk upright.
Jeremiah 29.11 – God has a plan for me. I have a future.
Isaiah 41.1-4 and 48.12-13 – God is in control. He is the first and the last.
Matthew 5.1-12 – Blessed are those who are kingdom minded.
Luke 1.45 – Blessed is she who has believed what God is to accomplish.
John 7.38 – To believe in Christ is to have a fountain of living water flowing.
John 10.10 – In Christ we have life to the full and overflowing.
Ephesians 2.10 – We are made to do good works.
1 Timothy 4.8 – Exercise may be of some good.
Hebrews 11.6 – Only faith pleases God.
Revelation 1.17 – God is first and last.