Another Birthday

O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! (Psalm 39:4-5 ESV). Another birthday has overtaken me! Who would’ve thought? I am truly a part of the generation known as the Baby Boomers. I have read the reports. They tell us as age is catching up with the baby boomers, those of us born between 1946 and 1964, we find it very difficult to admit it. Well, that does not apply to me. I really never expected to get this age. I’m not trying to be humorous or even humble. The doctors told me over twenty years ago that I wouldn’t live beyond 65. The odds were not in my favor. Even the Scripture reminds us that our days are but a “few handbreadths.” That’s not much, you know. Funny how the length of my age is not as important to me as the quality of each of them singularly. A survey of more than 1,200 boomers finds that most (76%) are convinced that they look younger than their actual age. Most (73%) also believe that people who were 50 a generation ago looked a lot older than do today’s 50-year-olds. The Louis Harris Poll, financed by Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp., maker of Renova skin cream, also found:  Concerns. As boomers get older, 66% worry about gaining weight, 30% worry about losing hair, 28% worry about getting facial wrinkles and 24% worry about getting gray hair.  Signs of Age. When judging people’s age, most boomers (58%) are influenced by facial wrinkles or brown spots. Lesser numbers are influenced by gray hair (46%), excess weight (37%) and hair loss (34%).  Gender. More than a third (37%) of boomers think men age more gracefully than women; 22% say women age more gracefully. Most (77%) think women worry more than men about an aging facial appearance.  Good wrinkles. Most boomers (56) think facial wrinkles can be assets for a man “because they indicate experience and maturity.” But only 44% believe that wrinkles can be assets for a woman. The typical boomer, the survey finds, thinks middle age begins at 41. Older boomers have a much different view of middle age than do younger boomers. “If you could stay one age forever, what age would it be?” the survey asks. Boomers in their early 30s tend to wish they could have stayed in their 20s. The favorite age cited by boomers from 45 to 50 is “45 or older.” Well, again let me say, I’m glad I’ve got today. I might not have tomorrow on this side of the dirt; but, that will be fine too. Listen to the Apostle Paul: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. (Philippians 1:21-23 ESV). Seems like I’ve already got my bonus! It is a Happy Birthday …here or there! Celebrate life in Christ!