Almost 30

Well, tomorrow I turn 30 years old. It feels strange, and that's about all. I guess I sometimes get in these deep thought sessions and reflect on life. What did I accomplish over the last decade? Am I where I thought I'd be? Am I being faithful to God, and all the opportunities He's given me?

Turning 30 has gotten varying reactions. Yesterday, at the YMCA, the topic came up on the sauna. The sauna! It was two high schooler's, and older guy, and me. Here's the scene:

OLDER GUY (turning to high school kids): What high school do you guys go to?

KID #1: Green.

OLDER GUY (looking around the room, wiping sweat off his forehead, turns to me and says): Are you in high school?

ME: You are awesome!

KID #1 (turning to me, with a huge smile) : How old ARE you then?

ME: I'm twenty-nine (not mentioning that I'm only 29 for about 40 more hours).

KID #1: Man, that's not bad at all. my cousin, man - he's THIRTY!

To a High Schooler, 30 is ancient.

But I have found that everyone else thinks I have a lot of life ahead of me.

Since I'm getting sentimental, here's a brief review of the last 30 years...

- No Cleveland team has won a sports championship. Not in my lifetime. The 1995 and 1997 Indians at least made it to the World Series, and the '86, '87, and '89 Browns made it to the AFC Championship those years. But nobody remembers second place. We Clevelanders cope by pretending like there are more important things in life (like getting married, having a kid, and talking to God personally).

- A few weeks ago, I saw a yearbook from our church in 1974. That's right, 30 years ago. My picture is in it, and I am barely a couple months old. I have spent about 2/3 of my life attending or serving or being involved with The Chapel. God has really blessed me and my family with so many friendships, memories, and important moments in life.

- As I mentioned in a previous blogger, marrying Jennie was quite a coup - an enormous gift from God. One of the purposes inherent in a man's soul is that he has to rescue the beauty - he has to find a great woman who stirs his heart and complements him. If you haven't read Wild at Heart, you need to check out some of the stuff John Eldredge has written. Anyhow, I am grateful everyday for the terrific, loving, intelligent, giving, forgiving, hilarious, strong Christian woman God has blessed me with.

- I'm still proud to be a Lake High grad (1992). It's amazing how much of your life, personality, and relationships are shaped by those younger and adolescent years. I do hope we have a 15-year reunion. Unbelievable how fast those 12 years went. I remember the torment I went through as a 6-year old, hating to leave Cuyahoga Falls, but it was a great move. I think being in a public high school and making so many friends there helped strengthen my Christian faith even more, and love people who are different than me too.

- In high school, I adopted a life-mission to live a "no-regrets" life. I wanted to give my life to God and others in such a way that I wouldn't pass up opportunities, I would do the things I know are right, and never give God or others anything less than my best. Well, I still have that passion or heart inside me, but I have regrets about lots of things. I think we all miss opportunities, and we all fall short of our goals at times. However, those that keep fighting... that keep the faith... that persevere... I want to be one of those.

- Can't believe I went to Grace. I was excited about Taylor and the great people and beautiful campus there... I was accepted at Miami (Ohio), and really wondered if I should pursue a "tougher" degree at a more acclaimed university.... but then I visited Grace. And loved it. I spent 7 years of my life in Indiana - College and Seminary - and wouldn't trade it for anything. Jennie and I will secretly hope that Allison (our daughter) falls in love with Grace, and it wouldn't surprise me if we lived out there again someday.

- You know, maybe I should have started this list with the ones who got it started. Now that Jennie and I are parents, I know I'll gain a much greater respect, admiration, and awe at the job my parents did. I am eternally grateful to Jack & Rita for their amazing love, faithfulness to each other, encouragement to me, commitment to teaching me right & wrong, allowing me to be independent, and for changing all those diapers. "Thanks" will never do - and it's amazing how much parents do - it is an awesome task.

- If you're still reading, thanks! I know this mutterings has gotten more "personal" than "funny." Early tomorrow morning, I'll be 30 years old. I am excited and curious as to what the next 30 years will hold, let alone the next 3 months.

- I wonder what sort of legacy I'll leave.