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The rest of the birthday finished with bowling, burgers and birthday cake.  My partner in birthday crime is Matthew Kehrer — 7 years old!!

So, freedom 55!  Check out the new tie!

And then the birthday party with my mom and dad and sister!

And in an hour or so, I’m off to another party with Matt Kehrer (who has the same birthday as me) — we’ll bowl and eat pizza!

These last few days have been . . .

Exhilarating — as I have caught a spirit of enthusiasm in friends around me.

Sad — as I have watched relationships that have deteriorated.

Draining — as I have caught myself reflecting on being exhausted.  And then hearing others enquire as to how I am doing.

Supportive — as I have embraced people who step up to keep me going.

Puzzling — as I have sincerely realized that the church can’t fix itself, and that people can’t fix themselves, and least of all, that I can’t fix myself. 

When you put it all together, I think I’m on the edge of the cusp of the wave of something great.  Trouble is, the wave looks awfully big, the cusp looks like a cliff’s edge, and I feel like I’m looking at the “something great” through blurred lenses.

How can something so great be so frightening?  The more I understand God, the more I’m learning that God is not safe, but He is good — that I’m not looking for the good life, I’m looking for the God life.

All that said, being excited often carries a bit of being scared at its core.

The retired person who needs to transition to a new home.  The youth who is figuring out love.   The mother whose child is loosening the apron strings.  The probable divorcee whose relational foundations are being rearranged.  The father whose career aspiration is not his current job.

And all of this I’ve seen in one week.  And more. 

And tomorrow I continue in the risk zone!  I hit 55.  Some call it Freedom 55.  A title that relates to being able to retire and do what you want.  I’m ready to hit 55, but the more I approach this age the less I want to retire and the more I want to bring freedom to others.

What wisdom do I need to fulfil God’s purpose on my life — to know Jesus Christ, and to make Him known?  What does God know that I need to know to fulfil his calling on my life?

What wisdom do you need?

In the last few days I have heard of marriage separations and ill advised decisions.  Not only heard of, but heard directly — from the “horse’s mouth”.

This is more than just the usual daily fare.  These have come piling in, more long the line of a summit of sadness, rather than a mole hill of distractions.

My heart has been punched and pummeled on behalf of others.  Some have accepted my offers of support, others are not sure they are ready to change.  And others?  I don’t know what to do.

So, pray for those around you.  Pray that they will be strong.  Pray that they will be humble.  Pray that they will accept help.  Pray that they will seek counsel.  Pray that God will break in where no one else can. 

And then, pray one more time, because now the only prayer left is one of helplessness and complete trust in God.  Just where we need to be!  Because when the answer comes, only God can get the credit.