Signora Sheila

We got to celebrate a good friend’s 60th birthday, which is starting to seem like a pretty young age. We enjoyed great fellowship and too much good food, as is usual in Italy! The restaurant, in the town of Casoli, was filled with bits of history, and that made me reflect.

Now that I’m in my upper 60s, my concept of age is changing. What once seemed almost ancient now seems quite young. And birthdays, those celebrations of aging, seem to be accelerating!

Birthdays are special moments for celebrating the life God has given us. For thanking Him for His faithfulness through the years. But they are also little bits of history. Sad, in a way, for they show that our lives are becoming history.

Soon we will all be history. How will others remember us? What kind of legacy will we leave? And if we were to become famous enough to be included in history books, what would be written on our page? These thoughts went through my mind.

Even the interior of the restaurant had a touch of history. Some unique tables and benches made of old olive wood, with its beautiful grain and shapes. And above them photographs of the aristocratic Abruzzo-born Gabriele D’Annunzio – poet, playwright, orator, and journalist. They were taken in Casoli during his stay at the Baron’s Castle.

Other traditional touches included a wooden tray in the shape of Italy, divided into its 20 regions, with the 2 major islands off to the side. And a pair of straw slippers, which I can only guess were once traditional footwear here. All signs of the inevitable passage of time, reminding me that how we live our days is so important.

An inspiring conference

If you’re not familiar with this ministry, I encourage you to check them out. Their website is full of great teaching and information that will help you build your faith and share the good news of Jesus Christ more effectively.

I also recommend the YouTube channel of Martin Iles, executive director of Answers in Genesis. Especially his excellent programs Truth in 10 and Living in Babylon.

Blogging News

Attentive readers may have noticed that I stopped posting in Italian. Partly because it took so much time. But mostly because I found that I wasn’t able to adequately express my meaning with the translation attempts of some posts. And clear communication is so important, especially with spiritual matters.

It was also turning blogging into a chore and causing frequent writer’s block. Since deciding to stop, the joy of blogging has returned, as has the inspiration. Sometimes it’s good to remember that “there is a time to keep and a time to cast away! (Ecc 3:6)

But you can still read the blog in Italian – or any language. In my blog’s footer, you’ll find a Google Translate widget for you can follow my adventures in your native tongue!

Pensions and taxes

Speaking of a time for everything, we recently discovered that we have to pay taxes to Italy on our pensions. So there’s a time to pay, too, even though if we lived in the States, our small pensions wouldn’t be taxed at all. And if we had Italian pensions, they wouldn’t be taxed here either. Rather ironic.

Oh well, we try to look at it philosophically. We do use the services here, so I guess it’s only right. But we’re also signing up for all the retiree/low income programs we qualify for, like the 30% discount on our utility bills that we’ll be getting! Every little bit helps, after all. But the main thing is that we know the Lord will always provide. His faithfulness never ends! And my prayer for you is that you may increasingly see His faithfulness in your life!

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

Psalm 37:25-26

📷 Image credits: cake; to do list; others are mine