The Curse of the Baby Boomers

I am the only baby boomer in our office. I know, I don’t text message, cell phones frustrate me, the computer world is an area I need improvement in; yes, I am a bona fide baby boomer. Most baby boomers probably feel the same way as I do about these things. The baby boomer generation has another problem—lying without a twinge of our conscience or guilt. Others in the office began to notice that pattern a couple of months ago. The pattern was that some of my generation lies whenever it’s convenient. We started keeping track since July; we had six specific instances where baby boomers lied to us even when we had proof that what they were saying was false.

In our litigious society, we need to document everything we do. We document meetings in detail not only for our recall but also the notes are handy if a disagreement comes up.

I was out of the office last week. I returned Tuesday morning to find a pile of paperwork and messages on my desk. One note asked me why I hadn’t gotten back to a tenant regarding a lease renewal proposal. When I checked my notes in the file, they confirmed what I had recollected, that I was waiting for their response. My business partner, who is in his 40’s, who took the message said they clearly implied I had dropped the ball and they were upset.

I made a phone call to them Tuesday morning (of course I got voicemail—does anyone answer their phones anymore?). I told them that my notes said I was to wait until they got back to me regarding their carpet choice. Later in the day, I received a call from two other doctors in the group agreeing with my recollection of the meeting. (This was a breath of fresh air—support not denial of what happened.)

My generation is a generation of rebels. Just check out the sixties. The anti-war, sex loving, drug loving culture brought drastic changes to our culture and society. We threw off the shackles of the Christian faith. I want to do everything my way; don’t restrict me or ask me to conform to a predetermined set of societal rules. Throw it all out the window, the commandments included. As a result, we have suffered as a society.

The church struggled with these rebels. Many walked away from the church. Some friends of mine who grew up in the church have left and they are not coming back. God was gracious to me; I didn’t grow up in the church but he gave me a Christian wife and the Lord changed my heart and called me to Himself. Oh, am I blessed.

As I preach in different places, I don’t see that many baby boomers in the pews. Yes, they left and (it seems) no one could care less.

Yes, we want it our way, we may have full bellies and hopefully, a comfortable retirement but many in my generation have lonely, empty hearts. If you know of a baby boomer who doesn’t know the Lord, befriend them and pray for them. Many have tried everything and found the joys of the world lacking. It doesn’t fulfill, only Jesus does.