Cam Hyde

Today I have arrived at the ripe, old age of 39 and I always find myself a bit introspective on my birthday. I’ve been wanting to get back to writing more on this blog so I thought I might share a few thoughts I have as I turn another year older.

Life is a Gift

Certainly, I think we would all say we know that each day is a gift, but as I get older, I gain more and more clarity to this reality. I’ve had two people that I graduated high school with die of cancer (that I know of) and one of those happened just yesterday. As I turn 39 today, I’m very clearly reminded that to do so is a gift from God. Each new day is a gift from God.

James 4:14 says, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Seeing that this life is temporary and recognizing that each day is from God causes us to live intentionally, to be more grateful, and to pursue what really matters.

Likewise, Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Wisdom recognizes we won’t be here forever. Wisdom helps us use our time wisely. Wisdom seeks to make each day count.

As I reflect on my past, I’ve wasted a lot of time. I’ve thought many things were important that turned out to be not important at all. Wisdom pursues more wisdom and I pray to God I’m getting wiser. I pray that I can make the best use of the time I have left.

The Best Gifts Aren’t Bought

I will admit that I’ve liked things far too much in my life. Hopefully that same wisdom is teaching me that things don’t matter. The Bible certainly says that in 1 Timothy 6:7-8, “⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Our stuff can’t satisfy us. Only Jesus can do that. However, the most meaningful gifts typically aren’t in wrapping paper.

My son has been struggling with a sickness that’s caused us to be up in the night pretty often here lately and sleep has been lacking. Last night, he slept through the night and that was such a gift to me to also be able to sleep through the night.

This morning, he was up early and he and I sat in a chair by the fire while I read my Bible. That time with him was such a gift. All of my kids later in the morning dogpiled me and we laughed together and I treasure that time in my heart.

Having a good marriage is a gift. Having health is a gift. Having both of my parents still in my life is a great gift. It’s snowing today on my birthday and it’s beautiful—that’s a sweet gift. The fact that there have been people who cared enough to take time out of their day to text me “happy birthday” feels like a gift.

In getting older, I find myself cherishing the simpler things and that in itself feels like a gift. I’m grateful to grow older and hopefully grow wiser.

I Need More Wisdom

Finally, I’d say I haven’t arrived yet and I know I probably never will. I need more wisdom. I need to see more clearly. I am still so sinful and still am desperate for the saving grace of Christ every day. If the Lord blesses me with more years on this planet then I pray he’d continue to help me grow in wisdom, that by the work of the Holy Spirit he’d help me hate my sin more and kill more of it, and in his work of sanctification He’d help me look more and more like my Savior.