Thursdays with Lyman
So about a year ago I started hanging out with a pretty cool guy. His name is Lyman, and he's 93. Ever couple Thursdays we hang out at his pad (an assisted living facility) and talk about life and stuff.
How did I meet this guy? Well, Lyman grew up in my hometown and ended up in Grand Rapids. My dad knew his brother really well, so he visits Lyman every time he's in town. Dad encouraged me to drop by and spend some time with this fascinating man. So I took my dad's challenge. And I'm glad I did.
I'm part of the Millennial generation, and we value a lot of cool things. We really push for inter-generational dialogue, and--I have to admit--the prospect of hanging out with a 93 year-old was kind of cool! I mean, can you imagine sitting at the feet of someone who has lived almost four times as long as you? Think about all the hidden gems of wisdom I can glean from. Talking to someone who's lived that long, gosh, that will give me a whole new perspective on what is most important in life.
So I started meeting with Lyman, and I realized my expectations were a bit in the clouds. I wasn't going to be sitting at the feet of a weathered guru, drinking from his cup of wisdom and trying to learn the secret of life. He had an exciting life, yes. And true, he had quite a few adventures and fascinating hobbies over the years. But he didn't have a glowing halo behind his head. He was a pretty normal 93-year-old.
I tried to ask him about his experiences. What was it like to live through WWII? What do you think about the current state of the world? What invention had the biggest impact on your life? What are you most thankful for in your life? He would answer my questions, and they were encouraging. But if he started telling a prolonged story--just like I wanted--he would hesitate and humbly say, "but I don't want to bore you with my old stories."
Lyman doesn't really think his life was extraordinary--although it was. I mean, the guy personally knew President Ford and Billy Graham. He met many famous people through his amateur radio hobby, old politicians and entertainers that are long gone. He even went on a couple polar explorations.
But as I look at Lyman's life, I think one of his biggest achievements is his 61-year marriage--one that is still going strong. His wife lives in a room directly beneath his. They can't stay together because she has dementia and has to be kept on the bottom floor. But everyday he rides the elevator down to her floor and takes her to dinner in the cafeteria. Don't worry, it's not as sappy as "The Notebook". She still knows who he is. But she doesn't know how old she is or how long she's been there. Man, he's been pursuing her for 61 years. That's commitment.
Lyman is an ordinary guy. But he is still an inspiration. Committed. Enduring. Sacrificial. Unshaken. He doesn't know it, but he embodies the gospel everyday. His life is a picture of Christ's love for his bride. To be honest, this is the biggest reason God created marriage: to bring glory to himself. Marriage is a microcosm of Christ's commitment to us. In Ephesians 5, Paul tells the men to love their wives as Christ loved the church. When we obey this, people can see Jesus in us, and God gets the glory. When I look at Lyman's life, I see Christ's commitment to his bride. If Lyman loves his wife this much, how much more does Jesus love us?
Well, I don't know if I'll live to be 93. But if I do, I want my life to be like Lyman's. I want to preach the gospel with my life.
How did I meet this guy? Well, Lyman grew up in my hometown and ended up in Grand Rapids. My dad knew his brother really well, so he visits Lyman every time he's in town. Dad encouraged me to drop by and spend some time with this fascinating man. So I took my dad's challenge. And I'm glad I did.
I'm part of the Millennial generation, and we value a lot of cool things. We really push for inter-generational dialogue, and--I have to admit--the prospect of hanging out with a 93 year-old was kind of cool! I mean, can you imagine sitting at the feet of someone who has lived almost four times as long as you? Think about all the hidden gems of wisdom I can glean from. Talking to someone who's lived that long, gosh, that will give me a whole new perspective on what is most important in life.So I started meeting with Lyman, and I realized my expectations were a bit in the clouds. I wasn't going to be sitting at the feet of a weathered guru, drinking from his cup of wisdom and trying to learn the secret of life. He had an exciting life, yes. And true, he had quite a few adventures and fascinating hobbies over the years. But he didn't have a glowing halo behind his head. He was a pretty normal 93-year-old.
I tried to ask him about his experiences. What was it like to live through WWII? What do you think about the current state of the world? What invention had the biggest impact on your life? What are you most thankful for in your life? He would answer my questions, and they were encouraging. But if he started telling a prolonged story--just like I wanted--he would hesitate and humbly say, "but I don't want to bore you with my old stories."
Lyman doesn't really think his life was extraordinary--although it was. I mean, the guy personally knew President Ford and Billy Graham. He met many famous people through his amateur radio hobby, old politicians and entertainers that are long gone. He even went on a couple polar explorations.
But as I look at Lyman's life, I think one of his biggest achievements is his 61-year marriage--one that is still going strong. His wife lives in a room directly beneath his. They can't stay together because she has dementia and has to be kept on the bottom floor. But everyday he rides the elevator down to her floor and takes her to dinner in the cafeteria. Don't worry, it's not as sappy as "The Notebook". She still knows who he is. But she doesn't know how old she is or how long she's been there. Man, he's been pursuing her for 61 years. That's commitment.
Lyman is an ordinary guy. But he is still an inspiration. Committed. Enduring. Sacrificial. Unshaken. He doesn't know it, but he embodies the gospel everyday. His life is a picture of Christ's love for his bride. To be honest, this is the biggest reason God created marriage: to bring glory to himself. Marriage is a microcosm of Christ's commitment to us. In Ephesians 5, Paul tells the men to love their wives as Christ loved the church. When we obey this, people can see Jesus in us, and God gets the glory. When I look at Lyman's life, I see Christ's commitment to his bride. If Lyman loves his wife this much, how much more does Jesus love us?
Well, I don't know if I'll live to be 93. But if I do, I want my life to be like Lyman's. I want to preach the gospel with my life.
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