Birthday Reflections

Tomorrow I turn 32.  As I reflect on my age, the biggest thing that keeps going through my mind is that I am two-thirds of the age that my dad was when he passed away.  Life passes quickly.

I also just attended the memorial service of my wife’s grandfather who was 88.  That’s a big difference.  He lived 40 years longer than my dad did.  We have no idea how long we will be on this earth. So all we can do is live each day to the fullest.  And that means living for Christ.  Though the life span of these two great men were very different, both of the services for these men had something very much in common.  Joy from knowing that they had a relationship with Christ.  It showed in their lives and the testimonies given about them in the funerals.

So I hope that I am living my life in the same way.  So that if I die tomorrow, people will say the same things about me. That there will be joy in my passing even among the grief of my loss. That my life will be defined by selflessness, wisdom, character, hard work, leadership, service, friendship, love, etc.  That I will have been a reflection of Christ to those around me. That the stories about me will bring laughter and joy. That those I have come into contact with in this life are better for having known me for however long they were able to.  What a privilege to have been to so many funerals of men in my family where this was the message (My Dad, Pawpaw, Papaw, Poppop). All these men had very little when it came to earthly possessions, but were rich in good deeds. They were rich in love and relationships.  They were rich in family bonds.  They were heirs with Christ. Basically, they were rich in the things that matter.  I am thankful for their examples. I hope that every day I become more rich in these things so that I can be as rich as they were some day.

So today as I consider that I might have another 56 years or another 16 years or I might die tomorrow, I count my blessings.  I am thankful for a beautiful wife who is my biggest fan.  I am thankful for three wonderful children who make me smile every day.  I am thankful for my job that provides more than we need.  I am thankful that I have been healthy up to this point in my life.  I am thankful that both Kasey and I were both raised in good homes where we learned about God.  I am thankful for all the godly examples in my life.  I am thankful that whenever I die I get to go to heaven with my Savior because of what he has done for me.  Praise God!