Reflections

Another year older ~ it happens every birthday.

But the beauty, it’s another reminder of where we’ve been, what we’ve learned and how much more there is to learn.  This past week I’ve been super-blessed to spend personal (and group) time with my children and grandchildren to celebrate an old life and a new one that’s coming in July.  And the circle . . .

Life is short.  Today is the birthday of my closest-longest-time friend.  Although she’s no longer here, it seemed like she always would be.  Because we were.  Once upon a meadow, we chased butterflies.  Once upon a first grade classroom we ate paste and made clay animals.  Once upon a chapel we married our dream, then once upon a cradle we rocked our babies. And then, a diagnosis said it went too fast.  But she was faithful, so she remains.

So what do we see when we look in the mirror of life?  It’s impossible to capture an answer in a few lines, whether on the page or on our face. Because everything moves – but God.  He is faithful so He remains.

Birthdays are a time of reflection.  They should remind us of the faithfulness and goodness of God throughout our lives, before and after. Grace has seen us this far and grace sees us home. And birthdays are simply a gauge to measure how the soul grows with each one. So I think of what I would ask my past-self of what I’ve learned from living life long.  This.  We can’t control it.  If we could, we would.

I’m reminded of the ups and downs, the grace and redeem through it all.  Seasoned through the challenges of life you don’t get to this day without having a greater understanding of what it’s all about (sort of). When I met Jesus I had no backstory except one that told how much I needed Him. I’ve been a Jesus-follower for over half a lifetime and find myself continuing to discover more of Him through the everyday moments that reveal more of His wisdom, more of His peace and more of His everlasting-ness.  And my ultimate desire is to have my space filled with all the holy.

So what is a sage piece of old age I could pass on . . .

To accurately reflect Jesus as He transforms our mirror we must feed our faith with the Word of God.

If we spend our time just chasing the world, we only gather wind.

Ponder life, friends.  Not over the hill or failed life, but purposeful life.  Over the hill just means you’ve navigated the valleys where we learn to be real. Live in the moment and embrace your people, thankful that a loving God has placed each one to accompany the journey, whether connected by DNA or deeply seated friendship.

BUT everything moves but Him – He remains.

Make my life a mirror to reflect you Lord Jesus – the beautiful and lasting image.

So teach us to number our days that we may present to You heart of wisdom Psalm ninety~twelve