I love getting older.
Many people would find that weird, but if you know me, you know it’s true. I love older people. The majority of the friends I have are older than me. When I was growing up, I even went with my dad to the Senior Citizen Sunday school class he taught instead of my age group. I love it when I walk into a gas station and see older men standing around drinking coffee while talking about their upcoming day. I love sweet, older women that have their hair all done up and are dressed in their Sunday best on Tuesday. I love how old stuff smells all musty and dusty. I love collecting that old stuff and keeping its purpose alive or giving it a new one.
I love it all! I have always loved it, but as I grow older I see more of why I love it.
Getting older is an amazing blessing.
Every birthday that we have is a blessing because it means we are still alive. We get to get older. I’m sure there are so many people that would have loved to have had another birthday, but their life ended too soon.
Like many things in life, we seem to take this very beautiful gift for granted. People get nervous about getting older. They have a mental breakdown or a mid-life crisis all the while not realizing the wealth they receive in aging. There is so much wisdom that comes with age. The way I think about life, myself, and what I value has completely changed from when I was younger.
I value myself more. I am wiser about who I let in my life. I use my time for things that matter to me. I don’t look in the mirror and count all the imperfections. I embrace them. I don’t feel lesser of a person if I am not invited to all the things. I have learned to choose wisely who I spend my time with and what I spend it doing. I have found the treasure in living a peaceful life. Sometimes that means saying no to things. All this I have learned as I grew older.
I also love to talk to older people like my grandparents. I have found talking to them leads to lessons. They have lived in this world longer than me and their wisdom often benefits me. I learn from their mistakes, their advice, and their stories of survival. Life is a precious gift. We should always appreciate it and never reject it.
I say all of this because I am about to have a birthday. I get to turn 44 and what a miracle that is! God has been so good to me through these years. The greatest lesson I have learned is that I never want to live my life without Him guiding my every step. I have seen what my life looks like when I do my own thing and it never ends pretty. He brings me true joy and gives my life purpose. Until my heart stops beating, I will praise Him for every breath I get to breathe.
I write this to encourage us all to see life as a gift. Every second, every day, and yes, every year we get to live our life, live it for God’s purpose. Living it for Him leads to life beyond this and oh what a life that will be!
To eternity and beyond!!!!
