Mark Raines: Starring Soon in a CW Television Drama?

“Hello young man. Looks like you’re having a relaxing afternoon.”

“Yes sir, I am.”

That’s an exchange I had with a man while I was hanging out on the boat slip at my parents’ home in North Carolina last week. So, what’s interesting about that? I’m pretty sure that man is my age. Welcome to my world. I threw in the “sir” just to amuse myself. Today, July 20, 2009, I turn 39, but for the majority of my life I have looked a lot younger than my age. While much of the world is seeking the key to eternal youth, somehow I have been handed it on a platter. Sometimes, I think there’s a chance I am Benjamin Button, but fortunately I know I was not an old man when I was born.

Just in recent years, I have been mistaken for a student at the new high school where I teach, a student’s parents I had never met asked me where I am going to college when I graduate, a young woman accused me of trying to make myself look younger, and I constantly have to produce my driver’s license to prove my age. One of my former students is currently showing my facebook photos to friends at his summer job having them guess my age. I can have short hair or long hair, wear board shorts or a suit, and I always look young. Actually when I dress up, I have been told on occasion I look like a kid trying on his father’s clothing. This past December, when I was speaking at a national teacher’s conference, I thought I would start by telling my age, so the teachers would know I did not just graduate from college. There was a collective “gasp” in the room. I paused for a moment, actually a little thrown off by that strong of a reaction, then continued my presentation.

Today, my youthful appearance and the regular mistaken identity situations are often amusing, primarily because this fountain of youth I call my life started as a major annoyance. When I was a teenager, I looked like I should be in elementary school. Not especially helpful in any way at any point back then. I used to explain things by saying I look young because actors and actresses playing teenagers on television shows are actually in their 20’s (which is still true and a pretty legitimate rationale). When I was a young man working as a reporter and anchor in television news, many of my rejection letters from news executives started with the phrase “too young looks.” Some of the news directors who hired me thought they could keep me on staff at their station longer because I would have difficulty being hired away due to my youthful appearance. You may have noticed that usually the men in television news look older and distinguished, while the women look younger. I tried everything I could to look older on television to no avail.

I am sure working with high school students at work and in youth ministry the last eleven years has helped me stay young at heart. But the young looks? I definitely do not think I have done anything to help keep myself looking young. If anything, my father says I have done much to help him outlive me! He says I am “living on the edge.” Of course, while others are often confused by my age, there are many ways I know I am getting older. I am in the best shape of my life, but after a particularly athletic experience with my younger friends, I wake up the next morning hurting ALL over. I find myself telling the same stories repeatedly, and start them by saying things like “I remember when…” I have also been thinking about retirement and where I should be buried. I cannot tell you how many minor surgeries I have had or when I had them, and I definitely have hearing problems. Currently, I am surrounded by lots of people younger than myself, which can make you feel young and old at the same time.

So, as I enter the end of my 30’s, I have been thinking a lot about the interesting turn of events of my youthful good fortune. How amazing is it that God made each of us extremely unique for specific purposes? It has been awesome to realize later in life that my youthful spirit and appearance have helped provide the opportunity for great ministry and teaching opportunities. I cannot imagine my life any other way now. I gave up trying to appear any different (older, younger) long ago. So, now I have longish, shaggy hair, and I’m normally wearing t-shirts, jeans or shorts, and flip flops, because that’s what fits me best. Fortunately, I live some place where that is completely acceptable at any age.

I spent my birthday weekend with some older than me and some younger. We had some great times, and yes, I am kind of sore from the physical activities. Today, on my actual birthday, I’m going to Disneyland. It’s free this year on your birthday, and how better for me, young at heart, in mind, and appearance, to celebrate.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Epilogue: If for some reason, it does turn out my life is like Benjamin Button’s and I am aging in reverse, I hope some of my former students are my high school teachers during the teenage years. That would be very entertaining.