The Older I Get . . .

I am truly in the “middle-age” years.  I finally am starting to adjust to at least thinking of myself as older.  I think you always tend to view yourself younger than you are, but after four kids I think I actually feel like I am a real dad now.

Here are some random thoughts on my mind as I mature.  By the way, I will be 39 on June 15th.

The older I get . . .

• The faster time goes.  I heard this all my life from older folks, but I believe it is so true.  Christmas used to seem to take a whole year to come just in December, when I was a kid, but now it seems to come around so quickly.
• The more rhythm to life I feel and see.  I am learning to appreciate the seasons, holidays, annual events, and the overall rhythm of life more.
• The more I value patience and endurance in life and ministry.  I believe so many things take years of patience and effort to accomplish.  Evangelism, church growth, relationships, parenting, and transforming a farm all are done over years not days.
• The more I realize I have to work the “to do list”  as I am able, not allowing all the mountain of things needing done to add too much stress and ruin the joy of the present.
• The more I appreciate my parents and in-laws and what they did in raising my wife and me.  Their training and values shape our decisions and practices very much today.
• The more I appreciate the beauty of nature and enjoy being out in it.  It is so refreshing and uplifting when the weather is beautiful.
• The more I love my wife and see the value of working on developing closeness and emotional intimacy in marriage.
• The more I believe that if you are willing to work hard, be honest, and have a kind personality you can be successful.
• The more I appreciate the church and love its people.
• The less news I watch, and I have realized that sports can happen without me watching them.
• The more I value health and understand how fragile it is.
• The more I fear about the world of my grandchildren.
• The more I see the wisdom in the inventive and natural ways of past generations, while also being excited about all the possibilities that new technologies are opening for us.

These are just some random things that I am thinking as I get older.

What are some of your thoughts as you get older?