Saturday was designated as an informal work day on the church of Christ Pearl Harbor 2.5 acre campus. At 6:45 am, before the tropical summer sun does what it does so well, I was up in the trees cutting back offending limbs. At 10 am a baby shower for Teri Zurn commenced and was 
fully attended. That brought out the men and limbs began falling in earnest, broken sprinkler heads were replaced and fences were removed for later replacement. Toward the end of the work day activities one of our heroes, Rick Cheney, cut down a rather large branch. I stood it up and tilted it upon my shoulder and prepared to stand up. It is a drill familiar from practice. I began to push with my legs and a message arrived from body central to the brain. “This isn’t happening.” Why not! I’ve done this a thousand times. That is the reason I couldn’t do it this time. Age!It was the second such message in three days. Thursday several of us went surfing. The waves were large, wind blown and chaotic. One particularly large wave not only separated me from the surfboard it also separated the surfboard from the leash. Back before leashes, when I was, a-hem, younger to lose a board and swim for it was no big deal. Now it is a big deal. I work hard to keep the years at bay. The inevitable encroachment of the years may be temporarily hindered; however, there is no doubt that they will not be denied.
What then? What else? Rejoice! The passing of the years is bringing me (and you) ever closer to life with the family eternal. Each diminution of physical prowess is indicative of the need to change mortal flesh for immortal and the imperative for a life lived in reliance upon our Lord. I couldn’t lift the log and the swim through the surf was severely taxing, so I must be getting closer to home.
