The last 30 years have been on my mind a lot the last two days. It was 30 years ago today that I arrived back in Kansas to attend college (Kansas State University). My sister and I were talking about it last night—it’s a pretty easy date for me to remember, because I was driving across Illinois on I-70, on the second day of our 3-day trip (with my mom and my three younger sisters asleep in the car) when I heard on the radio that Elvis had died.

It’s been a pretty good life, and I have no room or reason to complain. Sure, I’ve had some rough times, but who hasn’t? God didn’t promise me a life of ease and luxury. But I have always had a roof over my head, food on my table, and family and friends that love me unconditionally.

One thing for sure, my life has sure turned out different that I thought it would. I sit here wondering if it turned out the way God planned, or if I’ve wandered off the path and gotten lost. However, what’s done is done, and I do know that God makes all things work for good. So even if I haven’t been listening as closely as I should, He’s got things under control. I guess for my next 30 years, I need to learn to listen a little better.

Today my sister and her family drove my oldest nephew to college. Time marches on…

_{written by phil vassar; performed by Tim McGraw}

_{I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years}

_{Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years}

_{My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years}

_{Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years}

_{My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years}