50 Years of Change

50 Years of Change

 “Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”

Ecclesiastes 3:15 NIV

It was an event I was both dreading and looking forward to . . . the reunion of the Central Dauphin High School class of 1975. The only other reunion I attended was my 5^th year reunion in 1980 and that was held at a local country club. I never attended another one because I’d rather not surround myself with inebriated people. This year’s reunion was held at Duke’s Riverside Bar and Grill in Wormleysburg, PA (dukesbarandgrille.com) and it included a buffet and cash bar, so I wasn’t paying for others to drink themselves under the table.

There were almost 500 students in the class of 1975 so obviously, even in high school, I didn’t know everyone in high school or at the reunion. Think about your high school. What social groups were there? The nerds, jocks, college preps, business kids, the Goths who always wore black, the loners who never really associated with anyone, the druggies or stoners, the artsy kids, the brains, and the populars. What group would you have been lumped into?

At this year’s reunion, I learned that time was not on our side. Time can be an enemy or a friend. The guys who took pride in their long hair in the ‘70s were bald at the reunion. Time had given the cheerleaders as many wrinkles as anyone else. And there was a poster with the pictures of 55 classmates whose time had run out and were no longer with us. All of us knew time had changed us.

I confess that I haven’t stayed in touch with many of my classmates after graduation. Life happens. Pamela and I were married the year after I graduated and started our family almost immediately. The friends I had in high school went to college or careers. You might ask, “Why would anyone want to keep in touch with classmates from 50 years ago?” Because we were friends. Because God loved every one of us. Time doesn’t change that.

I spent 8 years with my classmates because I had moved from Enhaut when I was in 4^th grade. Getting my diploma shouldn’t be an excuse for not keeping in touch with what was happening in their lives. I’ve come to learn that every relationship we have is a gift to be cherished and with today’s technology there’s no excuse for not staying informed. I’m not saying that we have to constantly communicate with everyone we meet, but I regret not staying connected with some of my high school friends. Had I kept in touch, I could have supported them through the personal loss some of them suffered. I could have prayed for my friends as they faced challenges and cheered their victories.

I know that the busyness of our own personal lives and careers makes it hard to keep up with old friends. But I came away from that reunion wondering . . . “If we’re too busy to nourish old relationships, then maybe we’re too busy.”  How is it with you? How are you being intentional in maintaining your friendships . . . even if they’re 50 years old?

Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement.  If you’re a regular attender or member of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, you might want to consider reading Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message through Pastor Dale this coming Sunday, August 3.

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.