As a younger man, I was not the reflective sort.  Now, there were times when I was downright soulful, but, on the whole, I was living life and moving too quickly to gather moss.  Reflection didn’t change things anyway. Flame on. Add the responsibilities of a young family, and there you have it. Can’t cry over spilled milk.  I was aware that time was passing, but there seemed to be a lot of it. Now, I regret even the minutes thrown away.

It’s not that the young think they’re invincible.  It’s that, lacking experience, they see only endless possibilities.  Life’s limitations don’t rear their heads until we are well into adulthood.  This is both the triumph and tragedy of youth. Not old enough to know better and too young to care.  As all the youn, I thought I was wise beyond my years and capable beyond my scope.

With the weight of time comes creeping uncertainty.  A sense of dissatisfaction follows when we understand that not all events of our lives went according to plan.  I saw this in others years before I began to feel it in myself. In our lives, misfortunes, misdeeds and misunderstandings produce the hopeless feeling Solomon expressed in his lament, “It’s all empty anyway.”  Such comes to all people at some time regardless of their stations in life.

Years ago, I heard a preacher say, “No matter where you are in life, God’s been good to you.”  I’d have to say that’s true. Reflection on the hardness of the world can commence a slow, downward spiral resulting in a full on tailspin.  We can’t escape the free fall because the engine won’t start. Focusing on disaster, we become myopic. Corrective lenses would help, but many won’t go for the exam.  We’ve been reminded in recent years through the written and spoken word that life is not all about us.

I only got hit by one car.  I’ve been missed by thousands.  God’s protective hand has shielded me, and that’s a fact.  He’s protected me from Satan, others and myself. Just as His blood has covered all my sins, goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life.  I’m still bumbling along, but I’ve got a good wife and two sons of which I’m extremely proud. I’ve got great friends, and my church loves me. It ain’t all been grand, but it’s all worked together for good.

I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but life’s been good so far.  I’ve had a lot of heartache in my life, but I’ve had a lot of fun, too.  They say I’m crazy, but I have a good time. I regret my mistakes and often mourn, but I believe in redemption, and I know the power of God.  The grace God has extended to me is available to everyone without a lecture if it is sought in humility and contrition. I’m not a person who goes around talking about being blessed, but I am. You can be, too.

Sterl