As my birthday nears for the 50th time, I think more and more that I’ve been very lucky and very blessed over the course of my life.
Of course, there have been times that were difficult and a scattered handful of regrets, but time has also brought me the realization that changing even a single part of it would likely mean I wouldn’t be here this morning.
I wouldn’t be sitting in this chair and watching my dogs run around in the backyard of my own home. My lovely wife wouldn’t be sleeping in my bedroom, and my two boys wouldn’t even be a thought.
So even though I haven’t seen my parents in more than 30 years, I’m grateful for the little parts of them that live on in me. It’s true that life chews up the years–or at least has in my life.
It’s worth it, though.
One of my favorite bible verses of all time is a relatively obscure sentence from Joel, chapter 2.
“I will repay the years the locust has eaten.” (Joel 2:25)
Every hard second of my life has been worth it.
They collectively brought me to a patio in Arizona, a few short days from 50.
I love my life, and once again the thought crosses my mind that God is good. If you never read another word I write or have written in the past read that one:
God is good.
And he will repay the years the locust has eaten.
A Work in Progress 