Caffiene and Other Things

In my last blog I mentioned there would be subsequent blogs about my wife and family.  Today I'm compelled to tell you something of Janet my wife.  A dream come true, and no it's not a night mare for all you comedians out there.  She possesses so many qualities that I admire.  Qualities that are polar opposites of who I am and I'm so grateful she is in my life.  I remember when we first met how attracted I was and how it was mostly about the physical attraction.  I even thought I could imagine what she would look like as we grew older and baby was I right.  See what I mean.  Good God Y'all.

She still takes my breath away.  But after 26 years, even though the attraction hasn't waned, other qualities have risen up considerably in the spot light.  Things like admiration, respect, appreciation,  deep abiding friendship.  The kind that doesn't give up on you no matter what.  The kind that won't let you give up no matter what.  A true life long mate.  So much that if she weren't here I'd feel I'm moving in circles like a dog chasing its own tail looking for the best part of me that went missing. 

You want to know what prompted my desire to write about her tonight?  Two things, refinished furniture and fully caffinated coffee from McDonald's.  Regarding the former, I submit evidence A and B.

A local church asked for volunteers to refinish furniture that could be given to the less fortunate so she took these and did her magic.  Janet has such a creative streak in her for design and decor.  It comes naturally, but she has an undying passion for learning new things.  A broad scope of things.  Anything from understanding Hebrew to better translate the Bible to, you guessed it, learning how to faux finish wood work.  Whether it comes from taking a class to reading it in a book or watching a "how to" video, she is always about learning something.  I've never seen her match.  I admire this so much and would be a fool to not appreciate the many blessings that she has brought to our home as a result of her study.  I have so much more to say about her, but I'll leave it for future blogs. 

Let's get on to the second thing that prompted this blog about Janet.  Caffiene.  That's right, caffiene.  I gave it up over 3 years ago as a step toward better health, but once in a while I allow myself some caffiene in the absence of decaf.  Guess who had 2 large cups of regular Joe this morning and is still buzzing at 2:00 AM.  As I can't seem to sleep I thought I would blog and when I saw her work in the basement I was inspired.  Boring right?

I think I've bagged my blog limit for tonight.  I will, however, leave you with this one thought.  Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived.  In ecclesiastes, his summation on life is as follows:  "Everything under the sun is all vanity".  At first glance you might think this pretty cynical and down right hopelessly depressing, but alas my fellow bloglodites, there is a clue in his statement that points to the hope of all hopes.  True purposeful life in fact.  See if you can figure it out and post your thoughts before my next submission.

The Age of Grace

What do you think of when you hear the word age?  The number of years of your life, or maybe someone that is "not" young, or maybe even a season or period of time of some duration such as the ice age.  For me, I'm thinking a culmination of all three.  A couple of weeks ago Janet & I went to the wedding of one of our nieces (1 out of 18, count em, 18) and enjoyed ourselves immensely catching up with family and friends.  I say friends, not just because some of our best friends are family, but I actually was blessed with the pleasure of meeting up with my best friend from childhood.  Daryl and I had not seen each other for about 22 years.  You know the drill.  Life hits you and your old friendships can fade into the history books.  Well thanks to the magic of facebook, I caught up with my friend.  The last time I saw him we were both young and verile.  We actually had hair on top  of our heads instead of inside our ears and mine was brown and his was browner. (I know it's not a word, but I just loved saying it)  Point is, I didn't know if I would recognize him but when he came around the corner I saw this old guy that had Daryl's smile looking back at me.  I couldn't get over how he looked like the guy I see in the mirror everyday.  Hairless, glasses, age spots, the whole deal.  The conversation was short but very sweet.  I felt like we picked right up where we left off so many years ago and, as usual, before we were done he had me laughing my butt off like he always has done.  Since our meeting I find myself reminiscing a little more than usual.  Did you know Daryl was the instrument of introduction that God used for Janet & I to meet?  True true.  He lived in St. Louis and I came in from Wichita to be best man and sing a solo at his wedding.  I sang the Lords prayer for them.  The night before his wedding I took Daryl out clubbing in Central West End, which was pretty ridiculous considering Daryl is a recovering alcoholic, but party we did and that's where I met my beauty.  Sorry for the memory bunny trail, but I couldn't help it.

Anyway, what does this all have to do with age?  In years, I'm 57.  Is that old?  No! But what is it?  The Bible says that a man's day's shall be 120 years.  I consider this great news because it means I'm still 3 years away from being middle age.  This is especially sweet information because I feel like I have a boat load of livin' yet to do.  There is so much I still get excited about doing.  Am I "not" young as aforementioned?  No! Thank God!  Well what about age as a duration of time or a season?  To that I say the 50's are the best so far.  The number 5 in scripture is the number for Grace.  Does this give you any clues about the name of my blog?  If 5 is Grace, then what is 55?  Double portion, baby.  I like that part the best because that's what the 50's have been like for me.  (Oops, another bunny trail)

Biblically the term Grace means "unmerited favor".  More on that in blogs to come.  Suffice it to say relative to my season of age I feel like a favor magnet.  First of all, is my relationship with my Creator, Lord, King, and Master just to name a few.  That's right, I'm talking about Jesus.  I've never been so close or known Him so intimately as I do today.  What a rich blessing.  And how about the favor in my marriage.  Let me just say thank the Lord and Daryl.  I definitely have to write more about Janet in future blogs.  Believe me when I say you'll be glad to know her.  Can I tell you about even more favor?  I'm talking about my children and their spouses.  More on them later too.  And I sure can't overlook my little precious grand daugters Sammy and Morgan.  They're heaven on earth.  I have so much I want to share about my marriage, children and grand children on future blogs.  Yeah, I'm living in the age of Grace for sure.  An abundance of great family, friends and friends to come.  Just over labor day Janet & I met a new couple about our age at a B&B and had a blast with them and they're from KC.  They're coming over next week for an evening of enjoyment.  The favor just keeps piling on.  Did I mention that Janet & I are completely healthy?  There's favor for you.  AAAAHHHHH the 50's.

Here's my summation of age.  It's great and it just keeps getting greater.   We're surrounded by such richness and fulfillment and the older we get the more rich and fulfilling it gets.  The book of Genesis often refers to the person of subject, such as Moses or Abraham, as sleeping with their fathers (when they die) and being full of days.  When I go to sleep with my fathers on the last day of my 120th year, I plan to be "Full of Days".  By the Grace of God, I'm well on my way.

Wassup World?  In the past year or so I have been somewhat re-inventing myself.  A new outlook on my faith, a new career, some new computer explorations such as facebook and now, wait for it....

...My very own blog site.  I'm really stretching myself here.  I have decided that I've lived over half a century and I have something to say.  In fact, I have a lot of somethings to say and thanks to the wonder of technology I have a forum to say as much as I want.  Truthfully though, now that I have the technical know how and the passion to pontificate, I'm drawing a blank.  Give me a break though.  This is my very first blog.

More later when I can actually think of something to say.