Sweet Arrogance Of Youth

What is it like, sweet tender, to own the years,
Like unopened gifts in endless array,
Each holding joys, but never any tears,
Life so rich, its end e'er so far away?
What is it like, when questions of how and when
Don't quell today's thrills, or dim morrow's zest;
When all thought of your boundless vigor's end
Lies so far out of mind, as east from west?
I knew this once, the arrogance of youth,
When today banished all my tomorrows;
Father Time was but an old wives' untruth;
A fable was death, with all its sorrows.
May green years ever keep their brash cocoon,
For gray always dashes ardor too soon!

The U. S. Office of Vital Statistics' latest report (2004) of the average length of life for a newborn is 78 (rounded off) years. Hooray for medical science and easy living, for according to Psalm 90:10, it was 70, or maybe 80, 3000 years ago. Young people think they will live forever, and that's good, but if you study the following statistics, you might decide there are more constructive ways to spend your free time than watching the idiot box or going to movies.

Activity No. Years (rounded off)
Occupational work 30
Sleeping 26
PreSchool(waking) 3
School(waking) 9
Eating 3
Commuting 4
Other(TV, entertainment,
church, vacation, chores) 3

Subtract one-third of your life for sleeping when you are born, which is like being dead; more than one-third for trading your life's time for money to live on; a big hunk for commuting to work and eating; so what's left? About 3 years, most of which most people use sitting in front of Satan's black box. If I were you, I would change my habits now! Instead of three hours at the movie---time irretrievably gone---why not volunteer in the local homeless shelter? That way, you will build up credit with Jesus.