Today is my birthday. No, this isn’t a ploy to accumulate Facebook (or other) birthday wishes, for by the time you read this, the day will have passed. It’s just that today, being my birthday and all (still sounds like I’m fishing, doesn’t it?), lends itself to personal reflection. This is especially true with each passing year. Hopefully, such reflection will be useful for more than, as my pastor calls it, self-focused naval gazing.
At 58, it is “easier” for me to be a Christian than it was at 28. To clarify – I am no more a Christian now than I was 30 years ago. And though fully redeemed then, I still must daily set my mind on the Spirit in order to have life and peace. (Rom. 8:6b) Being in Christ is all of Him and nothing of me. Still, in this season of life, the urgency of temporal matters has slowed, and spiritual pursuits no longer find themselves tucked between sleepless nights and early morning routines.
At 58, my children are raised and do not cling to me with noses (or other extremities) in chronic need of being wiped.
At 58, my husband and I struggle less for who will cross the finish line first and have (on most days) settled into a distance runner’s stride in which the cadence of our breathing has deepened and our paces synchronized.
At 58, though still vain, the mirror commands me to embrace the truth that charm is indeed deceitful, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Prov. 31:30)
At 58, minor aches gently point to my mortality but don’t yet limit me in any formidable way.
So for those of you younger than I, take heart. Pace yourselves. As my husband says, it’s a marathon not a sprint. Know that the days will not always be so busy that simply catching your breath is a challenge. Christ is faithful, and He promises to complete the good work He has begun (Phil. 1:6) even if all the world should conspire against you.
But know also this – though it may be easier to walk a pilgrim’s path with the destination not far beyond the next hill, the hill is surprisingly close wherever you are on the journey. It was closer than I suspected when I was a woman of 28. It was closer than I dreamed when my life was full with children and parents whose voices I thought would always be just a phone call away. It was very near when I chose worry over prayer or starved my soul like a dysmorphic teen her body – instead of feasting upon the Word of God. Had I known it was so close, I would like to think I’d have more readily set my 28 year old eyes on Jesus rather than be consumed by the day that did indeed take care of itself. (Mt. 6:34)
There are but a few lengths between our todays and THAT day when we shall stand at eternity’s threshold. I have squandered much of the inherent riches that time affords. May it not be so for you.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ~James 4:14b
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On May 15th my wife and I will celebrate our ten year anniversary. I did not realize on May 15, 2004 how blessed of a man I was. I had an idea—but at the same time I had no idea of the wonderful woman that I was marrying. I am grateful that the Lord has blessed me with such a treasure.