Jump Start # 920

Psalms 37:25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

Today is my birthday. Yeah! Birthdays take on different meanings and feelings as a person gets older. When you are a kid, birthdays are about presents. Love presents. As you get older, it’s about spending time with family and reflection. That reflection ought to cause us to make some adjustments in life.
So here are a few of Roger’s reflections:

• My life is more than half over. In fact, if blessed, I may have only twenty or thirty years left on this place. That doesn’t make me sad. It makes me treasure time and be careful how I use it.
• There are some things that are just not going to happen now. Age, place in life and so forth causes a person to adjust and change dreams. The dreams of a twenty year old do not seem as important as the dreams of someone in their fifties. Don’t get stuck with old bucket lists. Adjust. Change. Don’t feel like you missed out. Find new adventures and dreams.
• God has been good to me, too good. There have been incredible doors opened and amazing spiritual giants that have come into my life and have made me a better person. God has kept me safe for a long, long time. Be thankful.
• Age shifts what is important to a person. In youth, it’s about getting things and being somebody. Later that changes to trying to make a difference for others. Helping others, in whatever way you can, means more to you the older you get. Do what you can.
• Walking with God has eliminated most regrets. Sure there are things that I would have done differently, but minor adjustments. The journey has been good. Life is sweet with God. Don’t fill your heart with junk. It only weighs you down.

• Building character affects everything around you. Things look differently when you walk with Christ. Patience, hope, trust and righteousness sure had color to a bland world.

• Incredible friends are mini vacations. I spent a few moments with some last evening. It wasn’t long, but it was rich. We need others. We need those who will shoot straight with us. We need those who will laugh, cry and just be there for us. God blesses us with friends. Cherish the good ones and honor your time together.
• Nothing beats Sunday. I just love Sunday. I love being in church buildings. I love singing. I love preaching. I love showing the greatness of our Savior. Sunday does something to me. I always know just how close we are to the next Sunday.
• There are too many things to do in life. A person can’t do them all. There are too many books to read. Too many places to visit. Too many “too manys.” So a person has to be selective. I give great thought to which books, shows, hobbies I pursue. A person can’t do it all. Be selective and pick out the things that will help you and make you a better person.
• A positive outlook sure lightens the load in life. Some are positive by nature. Some have to really work at it. There are always things to complain about. There are things that need fixing, changing, and improving. That’s the way life is. There are people who are not doing right. There are people who disappoint. When we focus on the negative things, it makes us negative on the inside. It’s like a constant cloudy day. Sunshine from within is a choice. It’s a way of looking at things. It motivates you, lifts you, and helps you.
• Having a purpose and a plan is essential. Not just the big plan, such as going to Heaven, but little everyday plans. That sets the direction you travel. The everyday “to do” lists keep you focused and gives you a sense of accomplishments. I can’t remember a day when I had nothing to do or nothing planned. I’m not wired that way. I get a lot done because of being organized. Wasting time is a curse not a blessing.
• Be useful. We all have talents and gifts. Use them. Grow them. Explore new ones. Find what works best for you and give it your all. Don’t cry about what you can’t do, find the joy and good in what you can do. That puts fuel in your tank and gives you something to do.
• Walk with God. Always. First. Last. Everything changes when you walk with God. When you see things from God’s point of view, things look differently. We need God. Trust Him. Love Him. Honor Him. Follow Him. This life is miserable and confusing without God.
• The future sure looks appealing when you are holding God’s hand. Things will get better when you have Heaven in your sights.

Thanks, for letting me reflect. Now, it’s time for this old guy to get to work and get about things.
Roger