THE KINGSTON TRIO SANG IT AND FRANK SINATRA MADE IT POPULAR, “It Was A Very Good Year.” Ervin Drake wrote it. It was a mournful song, a melancholy melody looking back at his life. As I race toward the ripe old age of 80, I remember …; yes, I remember. Some of the words are (you may remember):
“When I was seventeen …
When I was twenty-one …
Then I was thirty-five …
But now the days are short, I’m in the autumn of the year
And now I think of my life as vintage wine from fine old kegs
From the brim to the dregs, and it poured sweet and clear
It was a very good year.”
OH, BUT WAIT, he also wrote (or co-wrote) “I BELIEVE.” [the intricacies of theology notwithstanding] –
“I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray
Someone will come to show the way
I believe, I believe
“I believe above the storm a smallest prayer
Will still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky
Then I know why
I believe.”
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE LORD says: “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!”
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
IF YOU HUNGER FOR HOPE, get alone somewhere, talk to the ONE who said, “I will never leave you,” and He will open the highway of hope for you. Find someone who really knows what this means or contact me on FB and I will point you to THE ONE!
Write It On My Heart 