Youth is not wasted

 

I believe the memories of what I have done in my youth give me encouragement for what I can do in my old age.

Physically, things get more difficult. I need more time to recuperate from a long day of work. But I can still work. I can still walk. I can still serve.

I have more determination now than in my youth. I work smarter, not harder. I know way more short cuts that bring about the same desired results. I pay more attention to details. I move slower, but more efficiently. In fact, I probably get more accomplished now than when I was in my 20s.

Mentally, I find I must limit my time with social media, television, and other media. Entertainment is faster, flashier, more rude, more crude, more disrespectful of everything, and more intense. It creates conflicting emotions, stress, and chaos in my brain. So much confusion!

But reading now is faster, recollection is more accurate, understanding is deeper. Puzzles seem easier because I have more patience. Painting, crocheting, drawing, writing, all seem more enjoyable because the shadow of competition is gone.

Emotionally, I am much more stable, more dependable, more accepting of others’ faults, more compassionate, and a little wiser in the ways of people. I don’t fall for manipulation, intimidation, or domination like I used to.

Spiritually, I spend more time in God’s Word. I spend less time being a seeker in other ways of spirituality. I study the masters (Luther, Tozer, Lewis, Henry, favorite preachers, etc.), but spend more time with The Master.

I pray more because I have more to pray about, more people to pray for.

I still stink at memorizing, always have, but the passages I need in conversation or writing come to mind. If I am searching the Scriptures, I can find what I am seeking much faster because I know where it might be.

I crammed a lot of life into my youth, made lots of mistakes, and fixed some of them. Now I take my time and do the jobs God gives me.

And service is much more enjoyable. Thank You, Jesus!

 

“Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” – Psalms 103:5

 

_RHTM_

 

The History of Me

Cool unique auto in the Home Depot parking lot

 

 

World History

American History

The History of Language

 

Medical history

Family history

Work history

 

The History of Airplanes

The History of the Crows

The History of Fashion

 

My personal history is a tiny speck of dust within the history of the towns I lived in and the places I visited and the homes I slept in and the National Parks I walked in and the people I met or talked to or walked past or lived with or heard speak on the radio or in a pod cast or the professors and teachers who taught me or the preachers who saw me in their pews or the neighbors that observed me coming and going.

My health history is linked to my doctors and nurses, my children and husband, my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.

My work history is bound to the places I labored and the people who labored with me and the bosses I was accountable to and the people who worked for me and my family and all the bill collectors, grocery stores, theaters, amusement parks, online stores, electric companies, mortgage companies that got their money because I worked.

The history of me is unlike any history of anyone else that ever existed on the face of the planet. There might be similarities or coincidences in some small way, a passing by for a day or a month or a year or two, but unique.

So when I write my history, I am writing something completely unique.

People will read it, not because it is so different, but because we are the same.

We share the same history individually in unique ways.

 

And that is the miracle of this crazy earth history that God created.

_RHTM_

Read more histories at Five Minute Friday!

A New Usually

 

Usually I get up early, like 5 or 6, make coffee and spend a little time with my hubby before he goes to work, read my Bible and pray, feed the cats, feed the fish, feed the sourdough starter, feed the plants, feed anything that needs feeding.

Usually I try to go for a walk every day. I want to continue to walk for as long as the Lord gives me days, so I practice.

Usually I hear from one of my children each day by text, sometimes on Facebook or Instagram.

Usually in August I have met with several homeschooling families and written reports for them, shared new goals, and cheered for all the work they’ve done during the year.

Usually I have a schedule of work and play, leaving and staying, writing and editing, laughing and crying, living in emotions and remaining stoic.

Usually I make a list for myself and cross off each thing as I do it.

These things give me joy, a sense of accomplishment, a purpose, a reason to wake in the morning.

But a lot has changed. Now I’m crafting a new usually. It’s harder than I thought.

 

_RHTM_

 

When my Usually changes I go back to writing as a base. Here’s a book I wrote a long time ago for my fellow homeschoolers and their children. One classroom teacher I know still uses it. Maybe it could help you. Love to Write Everyday was tested and edited by about 75 educators and the published book is the result of all those edits. Yes, I sent out a lot of free thank-you copies!

LoveToWrite

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