Today is my husband’s 42nd birthday. Two years ago, when he turned 40, I wrote a blog post about him for Mountain State University LeaderTalk. It is reposted here with permission. Those of you who have read my posts here before know that we call my husband “Mr. Becky” in this space.
In the two years since I wrote this post, we’ve moved to a new home (new count – six homes, four states, 18 years of marriage). Mr. Becky is a rock-star dad, a supportive husband, and am all around great guy. He’s headed off for a busy day of work today, but I’m sure a lot of comments on this post would make him smile when he gets home.
My husband is turning 40 tomorrow. We celebrated with a few friends last night, and have plans to enjoy a fun day out tomorrow. It is a milestone birthday, but I don’t expect any monumental upheaval.
We met during college, so I have now known him about half his life. We have lived in five homes, in three states, during our sixteen years of marriage. We’ve enjoyed much more health than sickness and more prosperity than financial struggle.
We haven’t ended up exactly where we thought we might, but we like where we are. Mr. Becky enjoys his job and is excited about new opportunities to choose job experiences that closely align with his talent at work. He enjoys our daughters, and makes time for his favorite activities: running, weight training, fantasy football, and eating homemade ice cream.
About eight years ago, though, he made a major change in his career. To outsiders, it wasn’t a minor adjustment; it was an almost complete turn-around.
It started with daily, dehabilitating stress headaches. He visited various doctors, filled a series of different pain medication prescriptions. No relief.
His headaches ended the day he decided that he should look for a different type of career. By allowing himself to envision a different life, he freed himself from the pressures and strains of the day.
Even though nearly two years elapsed between his decision to pursue a new career and his first day on the new job, something even greater than his physical pain lifted the day he did his first Google search for new job possiblities. It has not returned.
At first glance his two careers are about as far removed from one another as most people can imagine. Once a pastor, he now works for a federal law enforcement agency (though he has kept the nickname “Preacher”).
Yet, friends who knew him before recognize that he is essentially the same man now as he was before. His reason for living remains unchanged. His values and priorities are constant.
As a pastor, and now as an agent, Mr. Becky has had careers that allow him to impact people for good. First in ministry, and now in upholding the law, he is fulfilling the same calling. He especially appreciates this sentiment from a police chaplain he works with: “Remember, you do God’s work.”
People with a strong sense of purpose and a clear vision for the future they desire can change their vocation without abandoning their raison d’être. Eric did, with no regrets.
It also makes for a great conversation starter. Raised eyebrows, “You did WHAT before?”
I don’t expect Mr. Becky to have a mid-life crisis as he passes this milestone birthday. He he’s given careful consideration to his life’s choices and made course corrections as needed — leading self with character — so that the next 40 years will be as purposeful and full of adventure as the first 40 have been.
Tell me something! What is your reason for being?
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.
Happy Birthday “Mr. Becky” – stay safe and contagious in your continued service. I appreciate your story, it reminds me how in Psalm 23:3, the word “paths” is plural:-)
(Thank also Mrs. Becky for sharing:-))
Wow Mr. Becky, another year! and, if we listen to Becky, you just keep getting better and better.
We appreciate you sharing Becky with us.
Here’s wishing you an excellent year filled with wonder and joy! Keep takin’ care of your four girls and keep writing a post for us once in a while.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Becky! As Becky probably told you, we tried mightily to meet when we were both up north a few weeks ago. Alas, it didn’t work out. I look forward to meeting all the Robinsons some day.
Becky, I think this is even better the second time around.
Mr. Becky – Happy Birthday! As a preacher’s kid who worked with cops (and had a preacher uncle who was a police chaplain), I see the connections. Thanks for what you do.
So….because of certain issues going on, I needed some motivation or something that might help….so I decided to stop and read some of your blogs and this is really the first one I stumbled on. This blog reminded me of a few things that I needed to remember that I think will help. Thanks! Now to read some more 🙂
I learned something interesting in this post. My daughter was born August 31, 1971. But here’s something else that’s even more surprising. I have two brothers. Both were police detectives for years. One for 30 years, one for 20 years. On brother retired to become senior pastor of a church he started while still on the police force. The other brother who worked for 20 years before retiring to be a general contractor, is now an associate pastor of a church.
And we wonder how God brought us together? Hmmmm…..
I am glad God brought us together, Jane!