Forty Years of Life

Forty years. Moses and the Isrealites wandered in the wilderness for forty years. That's a long time. I don't mean to be glib; I mean in the life of one human being forty years is significant. It encompasses a passage of time that shows on the body, yes, but even more on the mind and the heart.

So Papa turned forty a week ago. He had a good weekend--birthday cake three days in a row, new Iphone!, being with his three kids and wife and friends--even if the Packers didn't play. Lots of funny, poignant cards; lots of texts and phone calls. Many people who love him showed him that, and that was special.

Happy 40th, Packers! I mean Papa! Who ordered this cake, anyway?

In terms of what he thinks about turning forty, I don't think he does much. He doesn't tend to obsess about milestones. He doesn't get ruffled about much of anything, actually. That just shows how much more mature and self-controlled he is than me. He's thankful for his years of life. And because of where his birthday falls, he's always reminded of how fragile life is.

January 22 marked the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision that effectively legalized abortion on demand in our country. Over 54 million children have died as a result of this, and many millions more affected--knowing (and unknowing) family members; doctors and medical professionals who, at best, think they're providing a service when really they're left with blood on their hands; scared and desperate women whose lives are changed forever by a short stop in a clinic. We can't ever measure the toll abortion has taken on our society and on our hearts and minds. We hope and pray that one day abortion will cease to be an acceptable option for women who find themselves with children they don't "want" and for a society obsessed with individual freedom to the point that innocent little ones are terminated.

In the meantime, we thank God for His goodness--for His forgiveness of all sins, including abortion; for His wonderful gift of life to all of us. For every day He gives us. And for Papa and his forty years--may He grant Him many more!