A Remarkable Life

I don't know how often you reflect on life. I find myself doing it more often now that I'm older and retired from my professional life. It has always been a part of my adult spiritual life to be thankful for the many blessings God has given me. I'm thankful for my faith in Christ and salvation, my wife and her unconditional commitment to me, my children and grandchildren. Thankful for my friends, some whom I've had since childhood. All of these things would certainly make anyone's life rewarding and full, but I'm feeling exceptionally blessed; blessed literally beyond measure.

As we have traveled these past three and a half years, but especially these last five weeks, I've been struck by the age in human history I'm living in. What an amazing time to be alive and have all the resources I have. It's a blessing to be able to travel to far off places around this world with such ease and luxury; a privilege most other generations have never had available on this scale.

In the last few weeks, I've seen ancient cities with their monuments, libraries, temples and theaters that were the wonders of the world in their time. But these cultures were lucky if they had working plumbing, drinkable water and a reliable source of food. They generally never traveled far from their city, state or region and had to worry about foreign conquesting armies throughout their history. The reality that this is the norm for most people in my generation is sobering at best.

To see so many people with the resources and means on this ship living this way is humbling. To realize how so many more people in the world will never experience this much luxury and privilege makes me ask the question, "Why me Lord?"

As I reflect on this simple question, the answer frankly is profound. We do nothing to deserve the family we are born into, the age in human history or place on the planet we are. I'm left with the only reasonable answer that I believe to be appropriate; "There by the Grace of God go I!"

grace | ɡrās |

noun

3 (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

• a divinely given talent or blessing: the graces of the Holy Spirit.

This perspective and belief is the operational foundation of my life, worldview and motivation in every human encounter. Our journey in life is just another opportunity to express God's unconditional love.

As I encounter each server, I am poked with conviction and reminded of the need to continually be thankful for their presence and hard work. This ship has workers from all over the world and it has been a joy to get to know some of them, hear their stories and bless them with words of thankfulness and encouragement. I am compelled to make each one of them serving me feel valued and honored. .

As Karen and I spend our retirement years traveling and enjoying this lifestyle, we are reminded to always look for opportunities to love and value everyone we meet and use our privilege to bless them. The cruise ship companies have a gratuity system in place to take care of all the principals like our cabin steward, dining room waiters and food prep staff. But everyone on this ship has made our time onboard an incredible pleasure. We are making an effort to remember others we have met so we can note them in our cruise review.

This was our organic Bible study group onboard. Princess is the only cruise company that provides a venue to gather and we truly appreciate the time to study God's word together with brothers and sisters in the family of God.

Karen and I are so very thankful for the past five weeks and the wonderful journey to see new places and meet new people created in the image of God!