I had a couple in my office the other day. Visiting with them about the me a n ing and significance of Baptism. The husb and had been in my office before and looked at the books, cameras and some of the pics. He specifically pointed out to his wife a picture of me. It was my Senior Graduation picture. I am kind of proud of it. I took it myself. My camera had a timer on it and I set up everything, ran to take my place and the shutter went off. Boom, I took a picture of myself (before days of digital photography).

Anyway, in the picture I have longer hair. It was long but not shoulder long. It was also brownish blonde. And it was thick, real thick. The picture was taken in October of 1979! Yep, I am that many years old (my 45th High School reunion is coming up next year). We all had a good laugh over it.

I saw this week one of the kids (not a kid now) from my old church I pastored. Johnathon graduated a couple years ago and now he is working with an electrical contractor (also a friend and guy I went to school with in Stigler). Hard to believe he is an adult, out of school and working a full time job that could lead into a career for him for many years.

I get Facebook posts from a couple who live in Arkansas. I did their wedding for them 20+ years ago in Muskogee. They now have teenagers of their own. I remember when they were both teenagers in the youth group at church and now they have teenagers???

Now, I am pastoring a church where I was at 25 years ago. The faces I see in leadership are the same ones that were squirrelly teens back 25 years ago. And looking outside of church life, some are city officials, one is practicing medicine here in Gore, another one has his own construction business and others are grown with growing or grown children!

When the two younger kids were home a couple weeks ago, Jill and I had the joy of watching the two youngest grandkids. One was 10 months and the other 8 months. We were looking at birth pictures and pictures of them over the months. To say they have changed (put on weight, grown taller, hair had gotten longer and changed colors, facial features changed) would be a gross understatement. In some ways, they do not even look like the same babies.

Then we got pictures of the end of school from the older grandkids (10 & 8 years old) and it is remarkable how much they have grown and changed. The oldest is just starting to lose some of his baby boy features and manhood is beginning. The younger is starting to look like a young lady instead of a little girl.

Then it dawned on me that my kids’ will all be in their 30’s this year and next year the oldest daughter will be FORTY!!!!

It has been said that growing up is optional, growing older is mandatory. And after church camp a couple weeks ago, I feel like I have completed both and passed with flying colors.

Seeing all this has made me a little reflective I guess. I think about being out of school for almost half a century, seeing kids now adults from a quarter century ago and realize I have been in ministry almost 2/3rds my life (since 1986) and realize some things.

Number one, I am getting older. The hair is turning grey and loose. Things seem to hurt a little more. I can’t go like I used to. Joints have worn out and been replaced. I want to sleep a little more, also.

Number two is as I get older, others around me seem to be doing the same. Those teenager are now in their 20’s. Those who belonged to a family now have a family of their own.

The third one is a matter of priority. What used to seem important is not so important any more. What used to keep me up at night now doesn’t get a thought at bedtime.

The forth is time. I even look at it a little different. What I used to never have time for, I now make time for. Things that used to consume time I now steer away from to give the time somewhere more needed. I want to give attention to the things that are truly important.

Next is family. I did not realize how much I enjoyed family while they were still around. I miss seeing my kids every day. I wished I could see my grandbabies more often. And my mom, dad and oldest sister, grandparents, in-laws…what I would give for just one more day.

Finally, I guess it would be relationship with God. It seems like I know Him better. I am spending more time and I am closer to God now than I was one, five or twenty-five years ago.

I may be over the hill but not under it. I like what Psalms 71:18 says and I close with it. “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. “ Bro. Tim