Time Passages

60 Years * 720 Months * 3136 Weeks * 21952 Days 526,848 Hours * 31,610,880 Minutes

......and an inordinate amount of seconds.

The length of time that I have been graced with so far on this planet. 

There was a time when I was younger and wondered what age I would live to see. At this juncture, I am more appreciative of the life experiences I have been involved with. My daily perspective on life has undergone a significant shift in recent times. Not necessarily a mentally jarring one-time paradigm type shift; more of a gradual, subtle change in the chronological landscape.

For those of you who happen to live in Southern Ontario here in Canada, it is akin to driving from the Toronto GTA up through to Parry Sound. You notice the changes in the geographic profile of the landscape you are travelling through, but the awareness of these changes seem to occur after you have made the transition; not necessarily at the time it actually takes place.

I guess it is fair to say that in my earlier days, introspection was not really high on my list of priorities; at least it was not so readily apparent at the time. Birthdays in my younger days were anticipatory affairs. As well they should be. That is not to say that things should be any different as you get older. But nevertheless, with these inevitable time passages, I find myself becoming less focused on what may be coming my way, as opposed to what I can give as a celebration of being allowed one more year of experiencing life.

Ironically, or maybe because of this redirected outlook, I seem to be more of a recipient than a concerted giver. One of God's immutable laws? Something to ponder. I have now entered my seven hundred and twenty-first month of my existence and setting aside all introspection for a moment, I just want to state some of the reasons why this life has been good:

~ I have learned about perfect love from imperfect people

~ I am still learning how to love and accept others unconditionally

~ I have been blessed with growing up in a loving family

~ I am blessed with raising my own family

~ I am still learning that I am not perfect and I will make mistakes

~ I have learned compassion through the pain of losing a loved one

~ I love more deeply and unreservedly because of such loss

~ I am still learning that life does begin anew every morning

~ I am still learning that even though I fall short on many levels, God is faithful and He never fails.

Isaiah 46:4 - Even when you’re old, I’ll take care of you. Even when your hair turns grey, I’ll support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. I’ll support you and save you.