When Grandpa was a Teenager

The Cycle of Making Our Life Good

“Good Beginning” acrylic by Myra Alibrando

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Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 KJV

Psalm 90 is the only Psalm by Moses and the words above is a chorus in a song I composed long ago. Moses also said this:

The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Psalm 90:!0 NIV

In my young twenties I was so impressed with Moses’ words in Psalm 90 that I put music to it in a minor key with a melancholy feel. I added the verse . . .

“Each man born a babe and raised a child, 
Then a learning young man with an adult profile. 
Then married with children who one day have their own. 
Has is life so quickly gone?”

Teenagers in 1950

My waking thoughts the other morning was about young people living 75-years ago in 1950. No doubt the 16-year olds were intimidated by the older 20-year olds, and the 20-year olds looked up to their “elder” 25 year-olds. Just like always.

Of course, in 1950, young people had dreams and plans too. The times were different but people so similar. Gifted athletes, hard-working men with dreams of owning a home, godly men aspiring to be priests, pastors, evangelists. Others planned on joining the military or being hired by a big company.

Having lively discussions while developing political opinions and voting is new for a young person. Amazed at the modern 1950s era having new inventions, teens knew their parents would never have dreamed it possible decades earlier. Naturally, many aspired to marry the “right one” and build a family.

The youth, as all youth do, confident they were going to take over the world and make it right.

Young Folks Learning Life with Big Plans

Keep thinking of all the young people in 1950 interpreting what important pillars they would assemble to build good lives. Daily hygiene choosing the right products, fashion choices, exercise, and their peers, a maturing circle of friends.

Experiencing the death of beloved pets, seeing tragedy, losing grandparents, learning financial struggles, but also favorite foods and learning some new skill. Hoping and working to make brighter horizons for their future. It is 1950 and the young people are full of potential.

Did They Wonder about Their Parents as Teens?

Did anyone in 1950 wake up like I did realizing that 75 years before 1950 (in 1875), that the older adults were also young, zealous people excited to build their own solar system of family, career, health, progress, and skills? Praying, reading the Bible, seeking wisdom, learning from their mistakes and working to do better. Forgiving family members, also having favorite foods, beloved childhood pets, repairing the house, tending the yard . . . in 1875 a young person had new ideas in a new generation with strong opinions and also great plans for the future.

Making Our Mark Here

In some ways, we are all alike, aren’t we? In some ways, only some are alike. In some ways you are entirely unique. Our potential is not the footprints we leave on this earth, but the judgement for the kind of footprints we made. All the joys of life is proof of how wonderful life can be. It shows great potential and we are willing to fight for it.

Life can also be eternal. That’s what God says in the Bible. I could never deduce that from nature even though I see dead seeds germinating into something that looks nothing like a seed. Wow! That big tree was a tiny seed? I see a catepillar turning into goo and then that same creature emerging as nothing like a caterpillar.

So Cruel to Taste Life then Have It Taken Away

I see kittens die. I see everything that lives die. It is so cruel, but God is not cruel. I believe that deeply. Maybe life eternal in a cursed world is the real nightmare.

God hates death. God considers death itself an enemy.

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

God wants to save us from the vile curse brought here by sin and grant more than not dying. His personal loving adoption and eternity with a community of wonderful people who have pierced through the culture of their generation and found Him to be a trustworthy guide.

Our Real Potential is not a Dream House

Eternal life is potential far greater than a retirement fund, good health insurance, a nice home, or winning the lottery. Not only have the good things in life given us an appetite to live and to live longer, but the Maker of all things cares for us. God is good. This is huge, since we have no say in this matter.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Oh, I want to be in that number . . .

Lord, teach us to number our days so we may gain a heart of wisdom.

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