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.
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