The Big “60”
June 5, 2007 arrived like most Tuesday mornings. My new neighbors, a flock of birds, gently reminded me it was time to get up. They apparently don’t live by the clock but rather the sun. It’s Tuesday, sermon prep day.
The brain is running rather slow this morning and desperately needs a jolt of java. I somehow manage to find my way to the new supplier of my drug of choice, caffeine. It is called Saxbys. It is my new other office. Soon we will be on a first name basis as will my drink of choice. I meet a regular named Mike. He is a retired fireman from the Windsor/Severance fire department. I know he is a regular because he walked behind the counter and helped himself to coffee!
Several others came to settle in to their morning routine, a lady with a paper, two young men doing business, and lots of folks going through the drive up. It’s that kind of busy hurry up world we live in. I am glad for moments to allow the juices to begin flowing and time to catch up on the daily news. Hey, it’s Tuesday JUNE 5! Happy Birthday to me. So what is it like to be sixty Paul? (You can talk to yourself when you are sixty). Not much different than 50 or perhaps even 40. It is a day on the calendar like most others but causes one to reflect for a moment.
What mark have I left on the lives of people I love in the past year? Have I made a real difference? Have I drawn closer to God this year? Is my marriage better and stronger as a result of focus and love? Have I loved my enemies? Who has been loved into the Kingdom of Heaven through my efforts? What about this last decade?
My mind is immediately filled with images, the echo of conversations, heart to hearts, tearful embraces, and fervent prayers. It has been a good year, a good decade. It is nice to bask in the warmth of great memories for at least a moment. It makes me think about the next 10 years with my new church family, Windsor Assembly. I believe that this decade will be the best yet!
Perhaps on June 5, 2017, I will find myself once again at Saxbys. I am sure I will be serving myself coffee by then. I imagine that the tables are filled with friends; many of them now devoted followers of Christ. All this because I was called and Glenda, and I answered the call.
Last probing questions, Does mom love me? The phone rings later on while I am in the middle of sermonizing. She is a little freaked out that 3 of her 4 children are now 60 or older. She is almost 88 years old. Her mind is keen even though her walk is a little unsteady. She loves Dad and loves her 4 “kids”
It is going to be a good day!
3 comments:
I am so glad that you are my daddy!! And now I know where I get the little bit of crazy from. . .I had to laugh out loud reading your blog!! Is it bad if I have already started the talking to myself thing. . .hey I am hitting the big 3-0 this year!! :0) And I don't think it is going to take until 2017 to see the scene you painted!! (I do think that your Starbucks buddies down here are going through somewhat of a mourning period. . .they just don't know what to do without you.)
"The Big 60" ain't so big to me anymore, but I'm not SOO big myself as to not be grateful to be one of the "old birds" in your new flock. Comforting to know you know where you've come from, how you got here, where you're goin', and most of all - how to bring more than a few of us along. Thanks P.Paul!
You are in your 60s. I am in my 50s. Thus, much younger.
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