On the Eve of My Birthday

Back in The Palacio
What a week! My days in México were long and hectic. The work was very challenging, if at times stressful. At the end of the day, my (and my team’s) work was appreciated by the leaders of our company, and I was sincerely grateful for the experience.

That is enough about work; I’m much more excited to be back in The Palacio. Tonight is the eve of my birthday; tomorrow morning marks 28 years since I was born. I wonder, what must it have been like for Jeff and Cathy 28 years ago, as they anticipated their first born child? I’m not sure they even knew what they were getting into, but I’m grateful to them for taking the time to bring me into this world and guide me into adulthood.

E Pluribus Unum
I love the idea that ‘many’ came together to make ‘one.’ I am an heir to the legacies that have been handed down to me by my mother, father, grandfathers, grandmothers, great-grandparents, and so on. Many individuals followed their life paths, made decisions, heeded their God, left their homes and countries, took risks, or even deferred their dreams. And the result of these innumerable decisions was my birth on 4 June, 1977.

Since then, many of those same people have influenced my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth. Of course, many non-ancestors have also made their mark. Some of these influences were introduced to my life through my parents and relatives, others I met as I ventured off on my own. First on a missions trip to Ecuador back in 1994, then to the University of Illinois and Granada, España for my formal education. Summers at the caddy shack also brought experiences and people into my life, and my professional work life brought new influences and learning opportunities as my career began with Andersen and continues with my current employer. And this is not to mention the random strangers who have guided, entertained and sometimes distracted me along the way.

I believe that my presence here is no accident. I understand that many intelligent people look at life and see nothing but circumstances guided by chance. I have a hard time believing that, but rather I believe that not one of the decisions made by those who came before me, or the decisions made by me in the past 28 years, were without purpose. Surely, God was and is present at each moment, each cross-road, turning point, and even every moment of silent self-doubt or melancholy. God has seen my moments of heartfelt worship, just as He has seen my moments of sinful folly.

With that said, after close to 28 years completed here, I must say that I am most grateful for my God and friend, Jesus. I’m not sure that I’ve been the best friend to Him, but He has never left me. On this, the eve of my 28th birthday, I am struck by the many blessings I enjoy. An old hymn says, “count your blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings see what God has done.” As I lay to sleep tonight, I’ll rest easy remembering the family, friends, memories, and experiences that I have been blessed with. I have no idea if I’ll be here for another 28 years, but I’ll look forward to as many years as I am given on this earth.

Yes, it will be good to be 28.