12 The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].
13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].
15 [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. (Psalm 92, Verses 12-15, Amplified Version)
Hi, boomers! As a boomer guide I wish you all the blessings of the preceding passage. I dare to call myself a boomer guide because I am three years older than the oldest of you. So I’ve been down the same path you are on and around a couple of corners you may not have rounded yet. Can I be of service to you? Here are my quals for your review.
I am unfortunately not one of the uncompromisingly righteous folk Psalms 92 mentions. I have rushed in where angles fear to tread. I have thrust myself into the valley of the shadow of death. I am in essence a fool. However, I am a fool who knows he’s a fool. So that keeps me humble. But then this recognition of humility makes me confident that I can at least point out the way not to go. Of course you may wonder if this confidence makes me arrogant. There is that risk. Or perhaps it’s another advantage. I live in the space of constant conflict between foolishness and wisdom, between confident arrogance and humility. If that is the essence of being human, than perhaps I might be a useful guide as you traverse those years that lie between you and a hole in the ground.