In June of this year I turned sixty-two years of age. My father retired from
his career with a railroad at age sixty-two. My wife retired over four years
ago. A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were in the car and I said, “Okay,
baby, here’s the deal. I just turned sixty-two, but I have absolutely no
interest in retirement. I aim to go as hard and as fast as I can until seventy,
then we can think about it. I have way too much juice, lots of vision, and
plenty yet to accomplish.” She has no complaints as she certainly doesn’t want
me hanging around the house being hyper with nothing to do. If I retired, I
would just volunteer doing the same things I do now.
Below are some simple reflections on how things look at sixty-two.
Family –
Earlier this year I
went with my father to Washington DC on a Veterans Honor Flight. Dad is a
Korean War veteran and the whole day, 4:00 am to 9:30 pm, was tremendous. Both
my parents have had knee replacements, but still live in the home they have
owned for over sixty years. My son and daughter-in-law are wonderful, loving,
and wise parents.
Grandchildren –
Our granddaughters are lovely girls, seven
years of age and four. Both are involved in dance, the younger one with a much
more competitive mindset. One is very compliantly natured, the other quite
strong willed.
Forty-three years of marriage –
My wife, Sharon, and I are more committed to
each other than ever. That’s surely how we have made it this far. I am a much
better husband than I was twenty years ago. I am more understanding and
accommodating. We have a better handle on our finances than ever. We now
contribute more to various ministries and charities than we ever could have
imagined.
Physical changes –
It’s harder to sleep soundly in recent years. I
have more joint pain than ten years ago. I can still play racquetball
competitively. I carry some pounds that I would like to lose, but am not really
obsessed with my waistline.
When I shave, I see my maternal grandfather looking back at me in the mirror.
Church and volunteerism –
No Greater Love Ministries and the NGL Network
continue to be an important part of my life as a man, a leader, and as a
life-long learner.
My involvement is now mostly through
facilitation of the Camp Leaders during the Mardi Gras outreach and in as many
NGL board meetings as fit with my busy schedule.
The longer I serve Christ Jesus in sporting
culture, the harder it is to fit in with church culture.
Global
travel –
I have now traveled to or through twenty-nine
nations in the last eighteen years. In the years that remain, I intend to be
available to serve anyone, anywhere I am called that fits my life's purposes,
as the Lord reveals them.
Ministry in sport –
This facet of my life is constantly changing. I
still lead FCA Camps, but in a less direct manner than ten years ago.
I find great joy and fulfillment in serving in
sports chaplaincy, locally, nationally, and globally. I serve, lead, write, and
network in these initiatives.
I lead ministry with coaches in professional,
college, high school, junior high, and club sport, in a variety of sports. Some
of this is done by direct relational contact, others are via conference calls,
still others via text messages, many more by writing books, and still others by
visiting annual coaching conventions.
Summary
–
Life at sixty-two is rich, fulfilling, and
joyous. I love my family, my friends, my colleagues, and those I am privileged
to serve. Let’s crack on for a few more decades.
