In Eugene Peterson’s classic, A Long Obedience In The Same Direction, he writes of a time when he needed to sharpen the blade on his lawnmower. He got the biggest wrench he could find and worked on that nut but it wouldn’t loosen. Then he got a long length of pipe to add leverage to lean into. Still, no go. Next he took a large rock and beat it repeatedly against the pipe.
He writes, “By this time I was beginning to get emotionally involved with my lawnmower.”
As the story develops, Peterson tells of a neighbor who saw him struggling, walked over and shared that, as it so happened, he once had the same lawnmower. “[I]f he remembered correctly, the threads on the bolt went the other way.”
Sure enough, it worked. A simple change of direction loosened the bolt and released the dull blade.
Today I celebrate my 62nd turn around the sun. I wish I could say every turn was in the right direction, but there’ve been some turns in there that challenged my sanctification. But I’m still here and I can only say that by the good grace(s) of God.
I’ve had several close brushes with death; I even coded once, which is pretty cool, so I know God has me here for a reason. I have a good idea why overall, and sometimes I even know why in the immediate. As long as God puts oxygen in my lungs, I’m here to offer up my life as a praise to Him.
But how I do long for home.
I’ve lived 22,630 days on this planet. There have been some really good wins and some embarrassing losses filling the pages of my story. God has been in it all.
I don’t really have a whole lot to share, except to emphasize how much I love the life God has given me. It’s not a perfect life, but I’m perfectly happy. I adore the one who helps hold the wrench alongside me. I’d like to think we’re turning it in the right direction together. She’s been that “neighbor” to me, getting things to work right and better.
I apologize for all the first person singular pronouns throughout this post. That’s unfortunately necessary in a post like this, but I know that you know my story is not because of me but Jesus in me.
I do want to share this brief section of Peterson’s book. He puts just the right words to my ‘turning 62’ meditation:
…each step we walk, each breath we breathe, we know we are preserved by God, we know we are accompanied by God, we know we are ruled by God; and therefore no matter what doubts we endure or what accidents we experience, the Lord will guard us from every evil, he guards our very life.
Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience In The Same Direction, 45
This morning I closed my journal entry with these words,
“Bless this day. Make it holy. Make it fun. Make it memorable. Let me see a bird or some creature that fascinates and makes my heart soar!…Thank you for this life you’ve given me. If this is my last year here, I’ll be a happy man. If it is not, I’m still here for you! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Selah, beloved.
[tipjarwp mode=”button” link_text=”Click here to buy me a coffee ☕️ Thank you!” open_style=”in_place”]
Happy, happy birthday! I so enjoy your life testimonies and am so thankful God has blessed this earth with you!
You put a huge smile on my face again, Marie! Sending l the love of Jesus from us to you! Thank you so much ❤️
Praise God for every day He has given you! Wishing you a very blessed and happy birthday! You have been such a blessing to so many! Keep shining for His glory and sharing your insights that the Lord gives you.
Beth, the Lord Jesus has asked me to tell you how much he is blessed that you have graciously encouraged his servant. May you and your family be generously covered with his shalom!
Happy Birthday Brother
Abiding thanks, Jon. May the Lord bless your week extra-special.
And our Lord has had you here for many of us. Thank you Lord for sharing Your life with us through Scott.
What joy is mine that you read and are encouraged by anything our Lord Christ is doing in and with me. Humble thanks to you!
You are a blessing to many.
And this truly blesses me to hear it. Thank you, Savior Jesus, Father Lord! And thank you my kind friend.
Happy happy birthday!! So grateful for your life!
P.S. I am not going to tell Sandy you are writing about your eagerness to go home again. You know how she feels about that! lol
Lol, well you have to know I read it out loud to her (her faaaavorite thing) and her head dropped when I got to that part. I told her she’s going with me! She wasn’t much encouraged by that either.
What a great finishing, prayer, Scott. I read this twice, and I will be borrowing your prayer in my own talks with the Father.
You seem to always put a knot in my throat when I read your words, my brother. Eternal thanks…and eternal joy knowing we’ll get to chat about these things forever!
Happy Birthday Buddy! I pray your skies will be filled with Sandhill Cranes, Kestrels, Bald Eagles , Pileated Woodpeckers and Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal too. May the LORD delight you daily and fill your memory card with glimpses of His wonders and previews of His coming delight. My love to you both.
Can’t think of a better birthday blessing than what you wrote, my friend. Throw in a great horned owl and I’ll be set. Thanks so much, Brett. God bless!
Hey Bro. Scott, Just wanted to say I hope your birthday was a blessed one and to let you know the life of you and Sandy has really touched my heart. Thank you for having the courage to share your thoughts and your personal walk with our Lord. You are greatly celebrated! 🥳💜
Kelly
Kelly, that is such a kind word from you; it really means a lot. Thank you for sharing your heart! Your prayer was certainly answered, praise God. The Lord gave me as close to perfect a day as you can get 😄 I trust you are well; it is wonderful to hear from you!
Dear Pastor Scott, my forever pastor. I remember when you were so excited to have reached your 40th birthday. I don’t think you believed you would. So happy God gave you to us for all these years. Though I have not seen you in too many years, you are thought of with such fondness. Give Sandy a hug and I send my love to both of you.
Dearest Becky, you bless me so. This and other memories are vouchsafed in my heart forever. Thank you for being a pastor’s ‘crown of boasting’ (1 Thess 2:19-20) and a devoted friend to Sandy and me. All the love to you, with eternal gratitude!
Good to know you are still writing these posts. I hadn’t checked in awhile so was glad when your name popped up in a conversation and I went FB searching to see if I could still find you. Our prayers for you and Sandy. We were always so grateful for our sweet times of fellowship with your parents and we miss them dearly. Love and prayers, Don and Carlene Duncan
Oh how good and pleasant it is to hear from our family’s very long time friends! I’m so grateful you did all that legwork to find me 😄 God bless the Duncan’s with all the great riches of Christ! Thank you for blessing me with your kind words. Please take great care and share our greeting with Don!