We celebrated a good friend’s 60th birthday. Oddly, sixty no longer seems as old as it once did! We enjoyed great fellowship, and as is usually the case in Italy, an abundance of delicious food! The restaurant, in the town of Casoli, was filled with bits of historical artifacts, which made me reflect.
Now that I’m in my late 60s, my perception of age has changed. What once seemed ancient now seems young. Birthdays, those celebrations of aging, seem to reoccur at an accelerated pace!
Birthdays are special moments to celebrate the life God has given us. They are moments to thank Him for His faithfulness through the years. But birthdays are also little bits of history. In a way, they are sad, because they show that our lives will also become history relatively soon.
Soon we will all be history. How will we be remembered? What kind of legacy will we leave behind? If we were to become famous enough to be included in history books, what would our page say? These thoughts went through my mind.
The restaurant’s interior also had a historical touch. There were some unique tables and benches made of old olive wood, with beautiful grains and shapes. Above them hung photographs of Gabriele D’Annunzio, an aristocratic Abruzzo native who was a poet, playwright, orator, and journalist. These photos were taken during his stay at the Baron Pasquale Masciantonio’s castle in Casoli.
Other traditional features included a wooden tray shaped like Italy and divided into its 20 regions, with the two major islands off to the left side. There was also a pair of straw slippers, which were once the traditional footwear of Abruzzo country folk. All signs of the inevitable passage of time, reminding me that how we live our days is so important.
An inspiring conference
We were also able to attend a session of a conference in Pescara, Abruzzo’s largest city. The conference was held by Answers in Genesis, a creationist ministry.
If you’re not familiar with this ministry, I encourage you to check it out. Its website is full of great teachings and information that will strengthen your faith and help you share the good news of Jesus more effectively.
I also recommend Martin Iles’s YouTube channel. He is the executive director of Answers in Genesis, and his programs “Truth in 10” and “Living in Babylon” are particularly enlightening.
Pensions and taxes
We recently found out that we have to pay Italian taxes on our U.S. pensions. If we lived in the States, our small pensions wouldn’t be taxed at all. However, the Italian government automatically taxes pensions, considering them as income. Never mind that we already paid taxes on that income back when we first earned it. Never mind that our pensions net us an income below the poverty level. I guess the government thinks that even such a low income is too high!
Oh well, we try to take a philosophical approach. After all, we do use the services here. We have, nonetheless, signed up for all available government programs offered to low income individuals and retirees. For example, we get a 30% discount on our utility bills! Every little bit helps. The important thing is knowing the Lord will always provide. His faithfulness never ends! I pray that you will increasingly see His faithfulness in your life, too!
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
Psalm 119:89-91
đź“· Photo credits: Cake | Others are mine.
4 replies on “Taxes, Birthdays, and a Creationist Conference”
I can see how you enjoy history!
Our family uses Answers In Genesis science curriculum for some of our years 3rd-8th grade! It is so good. We would like to take our kids to the creation museum and Ark Encounter.
Taxes! It never seems right, but your attitude is good, and I know that pleases the Lord, who will continue to provide for you out of His abundance!
Bless you!
Yes, Linda, history is a fascinting treasure with so much to teach us! I didn’t realize Answers in Genesis had a science curriculum. I wish it would have been available back when we were homeschooling! It would be great to go the the museum and Ark Encounter. I hope you get to go! Taxes… what a bane. But it could be worse. What if we had no pension for them to tax? God has been faithful to provide for us, even now in our old age! Be blessed, my friend!
Those olive wood benches caught my eye as well–beautiful! / That conference must have been wonderfully enlightening, Sheila. I frequently find myself at their website as I research for Bible study or my blog posts. Superb scholarship! / Praising God with you for his faithfulness to care for us and provide for our needs–even into old age!
Oh yes, it was a great conference, Nancy. The true story of creation is so amazing! Even though we were only able to attend the Saturday morning sessions. It’s hard for Mario, as a pastor, to get away on weekends. We wish we could have been there for all of it. But at least we have their website and Martin Iles YouTube channel!