Gathering Life

The beauty of another birthday – a reminder of where we’ve been, what we’ve learned and how much more there is.  No matter what age.  This past week, I’ve been grateful to spend time with beautiful friends, my kind and precious offspring and theirs, and so it becomes and remains a continual reminder of the blessing of gathering life each year.

Birthdays are simply a gauge to measure how the soul grows with each one.  Standing on the edge of a field is my favorite place to hear the wind whisper my story through the wheat – I review the one that He has made come together when others thought it was falling apart. That one.

And so I think about what I would ask my past-self of what I’ve learned from living life long. This.  We aren’t in control of it.  Because if we could – we would. It’s already written.

While staring far-off into a field, I’m mindful of the well-worn prayer I’ve lifted up for over half my life now.  I’ve seen God answer in His way.  That’s the big learn. The only one way I understand I’m not sovereign.  And neither are you.  I speak to many who just wish their story was different instead of reading in-between the lines of what it tells.

Charles Spurgeon said this about birthdays; It’s not about celebrating us but the God who assigned the day to us, to give life and to use it. He’s wise.

Since I’m a bit diverse, I not only admire Spurgeon but also Stevie Nicks.  There’s a line from a 70s song – Landslide still sings true for me.  . .

Can I handle the seasons of my life(?) Uh-uh I don’t know. But time makes you bolder and children get older.  And I’m getting older too.

Ponder life, friends.  Not over the hill or failed life, but purposeful life.  Over the hill just means we’ve been in the valleys where we learn real life.  And here’s what we can glean from there . . .

Remember.  Review life and see the tested and tried that has turned to abundant grace.

Retreat.  You may need an old dirt road, a field, or a quiet pasture – – – or a valley.

Rejoice. And then, be grateful that you have come through from point A to B through almost Z.

It can be tough terrain on the way to our Father’s house, but we have a faithful Jesus to lead the way to offer a soul-deep courage to take one steadfast step at a time. We don’t have to celebrate a birthday to take an aerial view of our life – just a grace-filled moment to see that . . .

. . . through the seasons of years, everything moves but Him. He remains.

I give you thanks O Lord with my whole heart.  I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 138