Pleasures of a Lifetime

 

‘How nice it is to have had had the pleasures of a lifetime’

From ‘Pleasures of a Lifetime’ by Circus from the 1969 album ‘Circus’[1]

 

Now, after my intense series of posts on my blog during Advent, I tend to ease off for a while… often several months. But this year there have been lots of things going around in my mind and so, I am likely to post a wee bit over coming days and weeks.

In the case of this post, let me hurriedly explain (and reassure!) that it is not intended to be maudlin still less morose! I am not looking back over life sensing that it is drawing to a close or any such thing. Not that I can avoid the reality that I am getting older. But I am hoping and expecting to go on for a while yet!

However, now that I am a grandparent and now that I am retired, I have been reflecting on life a bit over recent months.

This has not been a case of counting regrets or cataloguing failures, but more a case of recalling the good things, the satisfactions, the blessings; the ‘pleasures of a lifetime’.

As I look back, I am amazed at the experiences I have had, the places I have been, the things I have done, the opportunities I have been offered, the people I have met, the immense privileges of a life of ministry in the church, the blessings God has poured out and so on. What a lot for which to be deeply grateful!

And perhaps the greatest of these is family and faith.

I am not unaware that there have been mistakes and struggles. Too many by far! But the joys and pleasures outweigh these; greatly so.

I am aware that I have a reputation (especially in my family) for being grumpy. Personally, I think this is unjustified. As I constantly complain, I get a bad press (and there may be more of this in a future post). But I do have to admit that I do not always express the (many) positive things I feel, and I do tend to more often voice my frustrations and struggles.

This is not a good thing.

So, let me make it very clear; I look back at it all with an immense sense of pleasure, satisfaction, and gratitude.   

You have turned my mourning into dancing;
   you have taken off my sackcloth
   and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
   O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.

[Psalm 30: 11-12]

 

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[1] Not a great lyric, but a pleasant song! You can find it on Spotify. This song is on my Spotify playlist ‘In my Life’ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bNZWCybpNuCWIjiLKRfn0?si=fa61e7bbd2e44408 These are songs that have an emotional resonance for me. The band ‘Circus’ included Mel Collins on flute and saxes, who went on to join King Crimson and to be a much sought after session musician playing for the likes of the Rolling Stones and Gerry Rafferty.