It's a Wonderful Life

I just turned forty.  Where did the time go?  It seems like a lot of people take some time at this age to reflect on their life.   I don’t know why, but forty seems to be a good age to do that.

Growing up, I was the smallest kid in class.  Even when my mom registered me for school, the lady behind the counter thought that we were registering my older brother.  I don’t have an older brother.  I was never the really popular one either.  I was extremely shy.  It would take me a good hour to even warm up to my grandparents, and I saw them at least weekly.  I am sure that my shyness is what held me back from making friends, but what could I do.  I was bullied.  Usually it was the older and much bigger kids who would come up to me and say, “We saw what you did!  We are taking you to the principal’s office!”  Even though I had done nothing wrong, they would pick up by my wrists and ankles and carry me kicking and screaming to the doors of the school, then put me down and walk away laughing.

In eighth grade my family moved and I went to a new school.  I was able to make a few friends there.  It was pretty easy, because there was only one class for grade eight.  However, once I hit high school, and everybody dispersed into his or her own stream of classes, I once again became a loner.  I would sit with people through lunch, but outside of school I sat at home.

When I reached grade twelve, I got invited to my first party.  At that party, something clicked.  I started to come out of my shell a little.  The more I hung out with my friends (some from grade eight and a few new ones), the more I came into my own.  My sense of humour grew by leaps and bounds.

I didn’t always hear from my friends when I graduated high school.  Once again, we were developing our own paths.  Due to some choices in my twenties, I lost touch with my friends and basically became a loner again.  I had other friends in church, but I really just hung out away from most people.

In my late twenties and early thirties, I reconnected with my high school friends.  The amazing thing I discovered was that they received me back into the group, with no judgment.  I fell back into friendship with them as though no time had passed.  I connected with their children, and in some ways became like an uncle to them.

I had good friends in my church as well.  People, who were able to walk with me through difficult times, encourage me and help me again break out of my shell a little more.  I was a member of the worship team, drama team, and youth group leadership.  I even spoke a few sermons on a Sunday morning.

In my mid thirties, I moved to Kenya.  I was able to make new friends.  These are people who work in the same area, locals, and visitors to the different ministries that we have been involved with.  Some people I hear from.  Others, I don’t.  Some of us try to communicate, but it doesn’t always happen.  Some people I hear from on a regular basis.

Sometimes I wonder about if I have made any kind of impact in the lives of people.  I know how much these people have impacted me.  They have all played a part in who I am today.  All of these people have taken the time to show me who I can be, and who I am.  But, did (or do) I make a difference for them?

This year, for my birthday, my beautiful and amazing wife, put together a scrapbook for me.  This is a big deal on so many levels.  She doesn’t do crafts.  She doesn’t like to do them.  She also doesn’t think that she is talented enough for such things.  I think she is mistaken.  She did a great job.  She hand stitched the binding.  She chose fabric and patterns to make the cover.  She cut card stock for the pages.  Then she did something amazing.

She contacted my family and friends and asked them to send her pictures, and stories and words for me.  I received little blurbs from all kinds of people.  She received pictures of times in my life, I had forgotten.  There were times that had significance for both the people who sent them and me.  From my family, I received messages about how they have noticed the changes in my life from being extremely shy, to becoming less shy (I am still very introverted).  From my friends, they all spoke to how much I mean to them, and the impact that I have made on their lives.  From people I consider to be my mentors, they told me how they have seen me develop and grow.

In all of these messages, people took the time to say how much I mean to them.  I was not expecting that at all.  When I opened the book and realized what it was I broke down and cried (heck, I am crying even as I type this).  I knew just how much people around the world loved me.  That is the best birthday present anyone could receive.  It is the gift that keeps on giving.

In those times when I feel like I am losing touch, and am unable to connect with people far away, I can turn to this book and realize how people see me.  Ultimately, I will be able to see how God sees me.

Let me take this opportunity to say “Thank you” to everyone who was able to contribute to my birthday present.  Your words, pictures and love mean the world to me.  You have all touched me deeply and shown me, again, who I am.  I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life.

To Meredith, you are truly amazing to put this together for me.  This gift blows my socks off.  The hours you put into it, and the amount of love you poured over it cannot be equaled.  Thank you for being in my life.

I can truly say that this is a wonderful life that I have been given.  I have a wonderful wife, and I have wonderful friends all over the world.  I am glad for the reminders.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Hebrews 3:13