Birthday reflections from the "older one".......

A few days ago a friend asked if I would write my own "birthday blog" since I have tried to consistently write a tribute to the kids on their birthdays.  Great question.  I have never thought of doing it, in fact I'd have to look back but I don't even think I've ever honored my dear hubby with a "birthday blog" on his birthday!  Madison warned me that I had sure better NOT write my own birthday blog!  So sorry Madison - I am writing "sort of a birthday blog."  

I don't mind that I am yet another year or two or a few past 40......I am thankful for each one.  I don't really want to go back to who I was when I was 20 really......I didn't have much life experience and was fairly full of myself.  I wouldn't mind having that body back ...But the maintenance was way too high on that baby - no time for that now! I don't ever find myself wishing I was back in high school, college, or married with no kids again - although I sure loved all those seasons of my life. I feel like I got every ounce out of each stage.  That's a satisfying feeling.  I think it is one of the advantages to trying to give 100% in everything.  There are disadvantages to this approach - like attempting too many things - or being a perfectionist.  GUILTY.

In 43 years I have sure made some serious mistakes and at times been a type of person I am NOT proud of.  I was an example I did not want to be - definitely not a refection of Christ.  The amazing thing about every year with the Lord however is that there can be improvement. I don't have to remain the same year in and year out - just getting older and more cynical. I don't have to settle that I am a certain way and can't change.  I don't need to be despondent and far away from God - in a dry place.  My struggles and challenges are only parts of my refinement, polishing, editing, and reworking!

I am a new creation in Christ - His work is never finished in me until I am in eternity with Him.  His GRACE is a flood of water replenishing me when I am withered, worn, and scorched.  

There were times this year I have been worn - in fact I even had a period of a few weeks where I was not sure any fruit would ever come again from this withering tree.  

But God does not leave us in this place of discouragement if we are in Him.  He calls us out and - renews us and revives us - then equips us for another stretch of the journey.  Christ never said this road would be easy.  

"This hill, though high, I covet to ascend, The Difficulty will not me offend. For I perceive the Way to Life lies here: Come pluck up, Heart; let's neither faint nor fear; Better, though difficult , the Right Way to go, Than Wrong, though easy, where the End is Woe". 

                                                                                                  John Bunyan from Pilgrim's Progress.

So this birthday, when I look around at all the situations that "could be" I am thankful....filled with gratitude for the gift of living another healthy year....for second chances.....for "do overs."   

So here is a little "birthday advice" I am giving to myself:   Acknowledge mistakes humbly, embrace the opportunity to grow - look forward to the Lord's regeneration - fight for joy and thankfulness in all circumstances - free fall into His grace - grasp the extent of Christ's love for me and love others unconditionally.  JUST DO IT!

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ might be for the praise of his glory."
                                                                                                        Ephesians 1:11-12

You know you're old when......

I'm not here to call anyone old.....I mean that is certainly not my specialty....but if I can help anyone out with some indicators well....hey.  I asked Madison if she had any suggestions for how someone could tell they were old and she just shrugged, "How would I know?  I'm not old - I don't have any idea!"So there you have it!  I guess you just know when the time comes! However this morning as I was getting ready for the day I thought of a few signs that might reflect age........

You know you are old when.......

1 - Your 6 year old is often explaining to you how the ipad works.

2 - You must fight the urge to yank gray hair out EVERY time you fix it!

3 - The fashion police of your house have to intervene just about every time you leave to "go out."

4 - All adults around you seem to be your same age......

5 - Really, you just prefer your nice paper planner/calendar to an electronic one.

6 - Vigorously cleaning the house alerts you muscles you weren't aware you had.

7 - All the football and basketball players whose names and stats you memorized as a kid are sitting behind the commentator's desk on TV:  Overweight and balding.

8 - You remember the days you could shoot out of the starting blocks at high rates of speed.....but the last time you actually moved that fast was when one of your toddlers started turning green, said their tummy didn't feel so good and they started puking on the carpet.

9 - You are listening to hilarious comedians crack jokes about all the great things of your day and your kids keep asking you, "What is bactine?" "Who is Led Zeppelin?" "What is a merry go round?"

10 - When talking with a group of young families you realize these people have never lived without a cell phone or the internet.  Like they didn't have to look up words in a dictionary, research in the stacks of a library, make copies with change in the library, and look up files on a microfiche in college!

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?

But hey - you know you are AWESOME old when......

1 - You like the rock music louder than your kids......(of course that could be due to hearing loss)

2 - You can still fit into your college clothes.....and a double bonus is they are BACK in style!

3 - Sometimes the fashion police still ask you for advice on what to wear.....

4 - You still have your jump shot.....

5 - You are willing to get out there and run and play soccer with the 12 year olds - and you look great while people walk by (but they don't know you couldn't get out of bed the next day!)

6 - You are still champion at air hockey.....

7 - You realize getting older is getting wiser - a nice benefit.

8 - You finally see that a clean house is not the most important thing in life.....

9 - Your kids can make the meals, clean, and pamper you!

10 - At least a few people act surprised when you tell them your age......ba ha!