What My Life Isn’t…

Yesterday I chatted to several gents about their life’s journey, how they’ve got to where they are. I’m musing on mine… understanding better what my life is, through recognising what my life isn’t…

I’m not the man I was… a youthful energetic teenager… a young married teacher, father of three young children… an organiser of events and activities… church leader, preacher, headteacher, treasurer, secretary…  

Throughout my life I’ve seen changes in the world around me, changes in my personal circumstance. I’ve changed: I’m a retired grandfather in my mid-seventies.

I’m not what I’ve done… My life isn’t measured by my achievements or failures,  my car, house or bank account… where I’ve been on holiday… or my children’s achievements or failures.

My life experiences have shaped me to be the unique (uniquely bad and uniquely good!) person who is me. To quote Chesney Hawkes: I am the one and only.

I’m not who I expected I’d be. I left home, got married, had a family… I could never have guessed where I’d be or who I am today. Life isn’t logical or straightforward.

Circumstances I’ve been through… the unpredicted and unpredictable experienced by friends and family… I’ve been surprised, but I’m not disappointed or disillusioned: I’m grateful for who I am.

I’m not a wreck. I’m so grateful. I’m still relatively well physically, mentally. I’m not giving up, standing at life-end bus-stop, waiting the number 49 bus to take me to my heavenly home.

Life’s to be an enjoyable adventure. I can do stuff, meet people, appreciate life. I know that could change tomorrow; but: I’m enjoying life as it is today.

I’m not certain of my future. However good life may be today I can’t predict tomorrow, let alone next week. My best plans are governed by uncertainty.

Looking at friends living with health challenges, broken relationships, unwelcome family circumstances… I continue to trust my loving Father who’s with me in this life and will take me to the next: I live in confident hope.