So I Ran Into This Ten Year Old Boy Today...

Today marks a milestone. [No, not Texas Independence Day...that is a great cause for revelry all its own.] On March 2, 1973, I knelt in prayer in my parent's living room and prayed to receive Jesus into my heart. I was ten years old - a fifth grader at Gene Howe Elementary in Amarillo. To be honest, I don't know that I fully realized what I was getting myself into, but I do remember that I was utterly convinced it was right and true, and I chased my conviction into a relationship with the risen Savior.

Today, it's thirty-six years later. A lot has changed...I'm older, heavier, starting to gray on top (although I remain grateful that I have anything on top to gray). Like anyone, I bear the marks of being bumped around some by life. This morning, as I pondered the fact that over three quarters of my life has been spent following the Savior, I ran into that wide-eyed, altruistic, idealistic, ten year old boy again. Spiritually, there is much in three dozen years that is forgettable - jr. high, high school, and a couple of years in college come to mind - I rather often reflect on them as germination time...my time in the ground. But when I ran into him this morning, I ran into HIM again. And I was reminded why my heart has always preferred to celebrate this day over another one where I'll blow out 47 candles, come June.

Seems like with birthdays we celebrate the passing of time. We reach milestones and go "over the hill." Over years we move from expectation as we anticipate the big day to exasperation as we see another year gone. We become 30-something, then 40-something, then AARP members... Age begins to claim us. As we count up, we realize we're ultimately counting down.

Not so in the faith. We just count up. You can never be too old or too young in eternity. On March 2, 1973 I really began to live. I'm sure I didn't understand it all then...and I'm certain that I don't get it all even now. But this one thing I know: I am more certain, more convinced, more convicted, and more compelled to live that life now than at any other time in my existence. I am absolutely sure of my Savior and His truth and His way. And you know what, even though I've much to regret and repent for in my life, I've not had a moment's regret about my Jesus.

So light a candle with me. We're just getting started...