Time has changed us all
I recently had the privilege of going to my 50th class reunion, that’s right I said 50th. I have been out of school half a century, which boggles the mind. So many things have happened in our lives since those carefree days of school. Many of us went on to serve in Vietnam, or entered the workforce, went to college, got married, and started families. We all went our separate ways, though some of us stayed in touch with each other and others did not. We were anxious to be reunited with those we considered friends and acquaintances from our past. All petty differences being forgotten in the hopes that our friends would attend the reunion in good health and with goodwill. Our hearts were saddened when we saw the memorial wall of the classmates who have passed on, and concern for the ones who could not be found and contacted for the reunion.
In the weeks before the reunion we fantasized about how people would look, what they would remember, and what we hoped they would forget. We mentally compared ourselves and our accomplishments over the years wondering how we would measure up to one another. But most of all we wanted our friends to be okay and to be happy. We were looking forward to the time when we can compare stories about growing up, our experiences, what molded us and shaped us into the adults we are now. Gone are the awkward, unsure, youths, replaced by aged, mature, and wise adults. How many of us wish we could have one point of our lives for a do over, to change one instance of our lives? But because there are no do overs, we have been molded and shaped into the people we are today. Some people would say that life is a collection of coincidences, or a meaningless accident of nature. We question how we got to where we are, and what the meaning of it all is supposed to be.
My thoughts took a little bit of a different direction, in that I wondered if I made any impression at all on any of my classmates. Was it a good impression or bad impression? Even in high school my faith in Jesus Christ was strong and I tried living a life that would proclaim that fact. I was very active in my church, in my youth group, and in the YOUTH FOR CHRIST organization through the school. But did my faith affect anyone else in that school? We are all blessed with what is called 20/20 hindsight, and in that perfect hindsight we all see things that we could have done differently. We could have each made more friends, talked to the shy person and made them feel more comfortable in school, and tried to be an example for the underclassmen. Unfortunately we live in the moment and hope, looking back, we never harmed anyone either physically or mentally, either on purpose or inadvertently. But more importantly for me, did anybody in my school, or in my circle of friends see Jesus Christ through the life I led? Would they see me and think to themselves, she was the biggest hypocrite in school, or, she was that religious girl.
As parents we not only must set an example for our children, but we must instruct them how to be a kind and loving person. Through the Bible we can teach them how to treat others, the way they would want to be treated, and therefore never needing 20/20 hindsight, to make sure they lived a peaceful and loving life. A life in which the light of Christ showed through them like a beacon in the darkness, being the legacy they leave behind.
We as authors, use our past experiences in life in our writings. Some, like the writers of; The Big Bang Theory, give testimony to how cruel classmates can be if you are considered to be a little different from everybody else. Our writings may include our own experiences, or things that we have seen played out in front of our eyes. We can only hope that in growing up we have all changed for the better, a wiser and kinder person then we were 50 years ago. After all, we have all lived a lot of life in those 50 years, and I hope we all learned something from them.
This is one thing I have learned: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:14
My class reunion of 50 years was one of the best times I’ve had in a long long time, and I pray that each and every one of you will be healthy and safe until we meet again. (Class of 1968 Lake Central High School – Go Indians!!!)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
I John 1:1-3
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
II Timothy 1:8
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
I Corinthians 13:11
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:6
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Ephesians 5:1
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10