Marking A Milestone

Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "He Keeps Me Singing"1 (Lyrics)

Psalm 90:10-14 – We live for seventy years or so (with luck we might make it to eighty), and what do we have to show for it? Trouble. Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard. Who can make sense of such rage, such anger against the very ones who fear you? Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! Come back, God — how long do we have to wait? — and treat your servants with kindness for a change. Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we'll skip and dance all the day long. (MSG)

Seventy years ago today, I entered this life. The expectation at that time was that a good and long life would span 70 years, and maybe, just maybe, I might see 80.

Her majesty was just beginning her reign, acceding to the throne on February 6, 1952, a couple of weeks after my birth.

When I was fifteen, the Beatles put out "When I'm 64", and that was such a distant time, so it was fun to sing along: "When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now, will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?" Well, I got my bottle of wine at 64, and I hope for more turning 70.

It has been an amazing journey thus far. I thank God, not just for the years that I've lived but for the life that I have led. The crucial part of today's psalm is not the duration of the life that we live but the quality of that life lived under the guidance of God. "Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!"

Okay, 70 marks a moment to reflect on what has been and what is yet to come. Yes, retirement has come, but it has simply opened more doors, offered new challenges, and presented new opportunities to serve our Saviour.

The Queen is still on her throne, the Beatles' new Get Back documentary was released at the end of last year, and I am still finding ways to "live wisely and well".

Wherever you are on your journey, listen to the promise that will guide you and help you to live wisely and well — the promise of Jesus, Who said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10b NRSV) Life is not "Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard." Life is walking with the One Who says, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live." (John 11:25 NRSV) So take the promise to heart, and live life to the full, giving thanks to God through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of You. My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent. Amen. (Psalm 71:5-6,8-9 NRSV)

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About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Happy Birthday!


    Thanks for sharing, Kenn.


    Amen Kenn and Happy Birthday.


    Amen and amen, Ken! Thanks for sharing. Blessings.


    Happy Birthday. Thank you for sharing your gift of writing. Enjoy your wine!


    Great point to make on your birthday, Kenn! Have a wonderful day and may God bless you with many more!


    Happy Birthday!!!!
    In Christ, may you see many more with health and happiness!!


    Happy Birthday Ken!
    Wishing you a year of blessings!
    (ON)


    Dear Ken:
    Happy Birthday! May your days be filled with His joy and peace.


    Thanks Kenn, as usual a very good devotional, makes a person look at aging in a different better way, think of the positive.


    Happy Birthday. Hope you receive your bottles of wine.
    I always enjoy your messages and hope I will read many more in the future.


    Amen, Amen , Amen – Now over 80 we still have an important role that life and spiritual experience we can share with family, friends, and others in need.


    Thanks, Kenn, with all the birthday card sentiments that come along with the day! Good to plumb the depth and height on such an occasion. Memorable.


    Kenn, thank you for the trip down your life’s memory lane. How blessed you are to have walked the quality of God’s life along your journey. I thank you for the jog in the noggin to think of my own.


    Happy Birthday, Kenn, and May you mark many more milestones with good health and much happiness!
    Thank you for your devotions.
    (ON)


    Happy Birthday!!!! Thank you for your jovial, honest reflection of your life and how God has been involved in its journey! I enjoy your devotions! Happy birthday and wishing you a blessed many more years. God’s love… cake and wine!


    Happy Birthday, Kenn!
    Here’s to good health in the coming months and years!
    Be safe!
    God Bless!
    (ON)


    HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENN.
    Many blessings to you may you have a long, healthy, and happy life.
    We love your province! It is so beautiful. We hope to return sometime.
    Enjoy your day.


    So timely for me, Kenn.
    I’m 72 very soon and since I turned 70, I too have been contemplating how good life has been.
    I sincerely believe you and I have lived in the very best of times!
    Continued blessings.


    Dear Kenn,
    That was an awesome Devotional. Thanks for your work as a writer, we are blessed.
    Blessings to you.
    Keep the Devotionals coming.
    (On.)


    Happy Birthday, Kenn,
    Definitely a very encouraging devotional for a life lived well and wisely with many new adventures on your journey to look forward to. I love the freedom of retirement to enjoy new adventures and new beginnings.
    Enjoy your special day with Jesus by your side. Blessings.


    Hello, Kenn, and HAPPY BIG 70!!! I just had my BIG 97 and wake up each morning asking the Lord to take my hand and lead me in whatever He has for me to do. Of course I walk with a cane for balance. We all need, at least a spiritual cane, to give us balance in our lives. Enjoy your retirement to the fullest making memories to share.
    Keep writing as well, and any other interests you have. God bless you and yours abundantly.


    HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENN!
    May you enjoy a great day and many thanks for taking time to present this special devotional on your special day. The Lord is so good carrying us through each day we have here on earth and for that He surely deserves our grateful praise. I enjoyed reading your reflection on hi-light memories of past years and may you be blessed with many happy, healthy times ahead for memorable events in your devoted service to our Lord.


    Thank you for your devotional, and use of some of the modern translations. I am a NKJV and NIV, 89-year-old. It was interesting to note the use of the word “luck” which I don’t really think helped me get to 89. However some years ago I also got an acronym for “LUCK” which helped me….”Learning Under Correct Knowledge” or “Living Under Correct Knowledge” and that has made sense to me. I do believe we need to keep on believing and learning in relation to God’s providence and revelation in His Word so that we can have faith in growing older. Thanks again for your insights and scripture passages.


    Ken, thank you for writing the devotional of this day. I also will be 70 in 2022. Hard to believe but true. My joy at this age in knowing Christ. I have children and grandchildren. Such a blessing but my Joy comes from the Lord.
    Knowing and believing in God’s mercy helps me in times of sadness and it keeps me in constant prayer, supplication, and Thanksgiving.
    Thank you for taking the time to read me on this cold Québec morning.
    I pray to meet you one day in Our Father’s House, along with our loved ones. In Jesus’ name I ask,
    (QC)


    Kenn,
    I so enjoy each of these devotional messages. On this particular occasion I might also add Happy Belated Birthday.
    Keep writing.
    Thanks.


    Enjoyed you devotion early this morning. I was just reading it for the second time and shared your message with hubby and picked up that today was your 70th!
    You have been a Blessing to so many and I’m sure when they read today’s devotion, many would have a smile on their face and say, “he is one of the best!” So, Happy 70th Birthday and may you have good health as you continue. I can only imagine all the Wisdom you are passing on these days!
    Take Care…God Bless.

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