My father lived to the ripe old age of ninety-three. Shortly before he died, he made a statement to me that left me pondering. He said to me, “I have lived a charmed life.” He didn’t say it with much drama or with much passion. He stated it with ease and with a bit of thankfulness in his voice.

This statement has stayed with me because I believe he was right; however, if you make such a statement, there has to be ‘something’ to its veracity. My father came from a small Idaho farming town. His family was not wealthy. He was successful in his career and made a decent living, but by no means was he rich as to the things of this world. He supported and helped raise ten children. All of us turned out to be good people, I believe. But none of us are noted in the pages of famous Americans known for anything. When my Dad passed away, no worldly dignitaries were in attendance. He and I, as well as my siblings, are relatively anonymous in the world’s view. In fact, he experienced his fair share of disappointment and tragedy that this world can give. Before he passed on, he lost two children to death, two sons-in-law, my Mother, and then a second wife. All were relatively young. He experienced the passing of most of his siblings, his parents, and many other close friends. The profession he aspired to, he never attained. The financial burden of ten children at a young age, I’m sure, wasn’t easy. Don’t get me wrong, I view my Father as a very successful man. But living a charmed life, what did he mean?

Charmed: “unusually lucky or happy as though protected by magic.” (Oxford Dictionary)

Here is what I think he meant. My father was ‘unusually happy’ despite the tragedies that came with living in this world. The genesis of his happiness was his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He viewed his life through that filter. The gospel is called the ‘good news’ for a reason. When the lens through which you see the world is viewed through the saving grace of God, your experience is different. It is lighter, more full of hope and joy. There is purpose to be found in small things. Life is fragile, but death is not seen as tragic because it is not the end. And although the gift of the resurrection is not generally seen as ‘magic,’ isn’t it?

So, I think it is more like my Dad chose to live a ‘charmed’ life because he not only believed in the magic and happiness of the plan of salvation, but he also internalized it. And so, I learned from him that anyone can live a charmed life; it’s just a matter of perspective!

Post Note: It may have helped that his boyhood town of Wendell, Idaho, is known as the hub city of ‘magic’ valley!)