What an amazing week! Last Tuesday, July 23, 2024 I became an octogenarian.

A couple of months ago, Mary asked if I wanted a big 80^th birthday bash event. My swift response was, “No! Just keep it simple—a small family affair.” Later, I added, “I don’t need anything, but if our family would have a workday and help repair the fence in our backyard, I would appreciate it.”

Now, as I begin to write this blog, it’s Sunday afternoon. Yesterday our house and backyard were filled with our son, Dan and his wife Tammy and all five grandchildren and their spouses or their close friend or suitor. Our three great grandchildren and, a three-old foster child that Dan and Tammy have loved and raised since he was a very young infant were part of the family affair.

Today, as a result of all the voluntary labor, the old leaning fence that has been sagging into a tree in our neighbor’s tree now stands erect. Several other interior and exterior projects that Mary and I couldn’t do were also completed.

When the work crew gathered prior to lunch on Saturday, I shared the following quote from Psalm 37, that I had read early that morning in my personal devotional time:

“I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.” (Psalm 37:25, 26)

Struggling to speak due to strong emotions, I added, “Today, I am obviously no longer young, and I am definitely old. But, each of you gathered here to serve Nana and me today, are such a blessing and a reminder of God’s faithfulness.”

Our youngest son, Dathan, recently returned to Tennessee where he is a high school teacher. He had spent nine months living with us in Oregon to assist when Mary had cancer surgery and radiation treatments. Dath also blessed me with a wonderful Father’s Day gift of finally watching a Mariners’ game at T-Mobile Park. I will always cherish that special time together “on his dime.”

Sunday afternoon, most of Saturday’s work crew also gathered for dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant where I opened birthday cards. I had also received hundreds of digital birthday greetings from friends from each of the churches that I have served as a pastor. Birthday greetings also came from foreign countries where I have been privileged to serve.

I share a quote on a magnet that Mary has posted on our refrigerator: I am drinking from a saucer because my cup overflows.”

That is what I am experiencing as an octogenarian.

Sunday morning as we drove to our local church, the last song playing on the radio brought tears to my eyes. The lyrics of Jenn Johnson’s Goodness of God are also our testimony. “All my life God has been faithful. All my life He has been so good.”

I share a link to the song so that you can appreciate what I have experienced throughout my 80 years of knowing and serving God. tap on the phrase, “Watch on YouTube” in the left side of the block.