{"id":353,"date":"2024-02-08T22:36:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T03:36:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/messagemediummessenger\/?p=353"},"modified":"2024-04-27T21:58:19","modified_gmt":"2024-04-28T01:58:19","slug":"5-thoughts-on-turning-55","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/messagemediummessenger\/2024\/02\/5-thoughts-on-turning-55\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Thoughts on Turning 55"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

"Mark

Rays of light always break through the clouds, no matter how dark the sky, no matter how violent the storm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

I celebrate my 55th trip around the sun this week. Like I do most years, I spent time reflecting on the relentless passage of time and how I have invested what has expired and should spend what remains on the scoreboard. Allow me to offer these five observations from my life. May they encourage you at whatever age you find yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

  1. \n

  2. Finish Strong<\/span><\/li>\n

  3. Maturing Comes When You Least Expect It<\/span><\/li>\n

  4. Have More Fun<\/span><\/li>\n

  5. \u00a0Hold a Funeral for Regrets<\/span><\/li>\n

  6. Remember: An Audience of One<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Thought 1: Finish Strong<\/span><\/h2>\n Dad turned 55 the year I turned 16. He had planned his retirement and was ahead of schedule. His finances were as rock-steady as Stone Mountain. He was dreaming aloud about the transition. He had hung up his coach\u2019s whistle and instead was leading a team of teachers. His wisdom was sought. His opinion was needed. He was beloved.<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the infinite ignorance of a 16-year-old, I was changing directions on what I wanted to pursue, how I wanted to finish high school, and which building my career\u2019s ladder would lean against. I still wonder if I drove him nuts. After his death, I found a note I wrote to him during this season. I don\u2019t know why he kept it. I shuddered in guilt as I read my handwriting after many years. How selfish of me.<\/span><\/p>\n What Dad didn\u2019t know at 55 \u2014 and what I don\u2019t know at 55 is \u2014 how many years are left. For Dad, it was only 15 until he got sick with the disease that would take his life at 73.<\/span><\/p>\n At 55, he knew the race he had to run and acknowledged the eventual finish line. After his diagnosis, he become laser-focused and intentional about how to end his time on the planet. He busted the tape knowing he had done everything he could have to finish well.<\/span><\/p>\n Lesson #1<\/span><\/h3>\n I\u2019m not at the same place Dad was, but it doesn\u2019t keep me from looking ahead and preparing for the inevitable. For my wife. For my children. For my friends.<\/span><\/p>\n Like Dad at 55, I don\u2019t know how many laps I have left. But as I look ahead, I will endeavor to speak more of Jesus, to anchor my family\u2019s future, and to love well.<\/span><\/p>\n Legendary songwriter <\/span>Don Koch recently passed at 62<\/span><\/a>. I\u2019ve thought of this song by him many times this week. Don finished well, and this song urges us to.<\/span><\/p>\n