Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Some encouragement for the rest of us...



Sometimes being 56 is a blessing.
You get senior discounts, for example.
The Hubs and I just got back from two nights on the Oregon coast where we got the senior discount
on a lovely king sized suite, with an in room jacuzzi and free breakfast, for a total of $76  per night!
Yay for being "old"!
Then, at one of the stores there I found my favorite soft sweatshirt in a soft coral color for 50% off, 
plus another 10% off for the senior discount!
Yippee!


I'm well aware of the fact that getting older can be frustrating.
Things change in your body.
Wrinkles happen, (as do other things that I don't want to talk about). 

 I recently had an experience where I felt totally "dismissed" due to my age.
It was the first time I felt the sting of "ageism".
It really smarted!


My deep down desire is for the rest of the life God gives me here on this earth
to be the best of my life.
I desire it for myself, but I desire to be an encouragement for others so that they can experience the best
 that God has for them in their latter years as well.


So, how about five PRACTICAL ways to make that happen,
to make the rest of your life the best of your life?


First of all, live a life of PEACE.
Are you tormented by worry, fear and anxiety?
Are you struggling with bitterness, anger and unforgiveness?
Are you discouraged, depressed and feeling hopeless?
All of these are peace robbers.
God wants His peace to rule your mind and heart and He has done, and will continue to do,
 all that it takes to help you to live a life ruled by His peace.
(Colossians 3:14-16 gives the key to overcoming all of the above issues,
which is letting the Word dwell richly in your mind and heart.)


Let's get PHYSICAL!
How many people do you know that become totally sedentary in their latter years.
If you don't use it, you will lose it...
your muscle tone, your strength, your energy.
Keep on moving.
Refuse to be sedentary.
You don't have to be a marathon runner or a weight lifter,
(though if you are more power to you!).
At least get out and walk if nothing else.
{And if you're married, the other connotation of the word physical is good for you too.
I'm just sayin'.}


Embrace your PURPOSE!
If you are still breathing, you still have a God given purpose.
Sometimes we are looking for some huge heaven sent proclamation about our purpose,
"Hey you!  Sell everything you have and move to Zimbabwe."
Now that could happen,
but I find that God's purposes are usually more right in front of you.
"Love your husband.  Pray for your children. Mentor your grandkids.  Teach a Bible study.
Give the single mama next door a sack of groceries.  Write so and so an encouraging note."
Ask God to use you for His purpose each day, 
one day at a time.
Don't waste your days, weeks, months, years, expecting some big grandiose voice from heaven.
Listen for God's still small voice to lead and direct you right now.
Then obey what He says!


PURSUE your PASSION!
Here are my passions,
(I will try to list them in priority order).

God-I want to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and always keep growing in my relationship with Him
My husband-I want to continue to grow and improve at loving him well and being the wife and partner that he needs
My daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren-I want to be the best mama, mother-in-law and nana that I can be.
Church-I want to fulfill my part in the body of Christ.
  I am passionate about teaching God's Word, mentoring others, and helping them to find freedom in Christ. 
 I want to also do my part to support the body of Christ beyond my local church.
Home-I love homemaking!  I love to decorate, cook and do all of those domestic type things that make home such a lovely word.
Writing-I love words and how they can weave a story, communicate a feeling, teach and encourage.
I love to write so I have to chose to make the time to do so.
Photography-I still have lots to learn about photography, but I am enjoying this relatively new passion.
So, those are a few of my passions.
I feel fulfilled and happy when I'm doing the things I'm passionate about.
What is your passion?
What are you doing to pursue it?


Focus on other PEOPLE.
A self-focused, self-absorbed life is a miserable life.
I think we're always healthier and happier when we are 
reaching up to God,
reaching out to our peers and pursuing healthy relationships,
and reaching down to someone to help or mentor or encourage.

Last week I shared some encouragement for young mamas.
But, I'm well aware of the fact that our generation can feel forgotten.
We can feel forgotten by our youth oriented culture.
We can feel forgotten in the church culture that's trying to be relevant to the youth oriented culture!
We can waste the rest of our life trying to fix how others perceive and treat us
or we can quite wasting our time and start today to make our life the kind of life we really want.
I say, 'LET'S DO IT!"
If you are saying it too, won't you take time to leave a comment and let me know?

still following,

     




at 3-D Lessons for Life

34 comments:

  1. You smart, smart woman! I'm bookmarking this. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jesus is the only wisdom I have. He helped me write this one, I'm sure!

      Delete
  2. WAY cool... AWESOME job and beautiful pictures too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks for all the wisdom! i am only 29 and i see these qualities in my 54 year old mama and 58 year old daddy. It makes them still seem so young! blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your encouragement, Summer! Say hi to your mama and daddy for me. Maybe your mama would like my post. :)

      Delete
  4. this almost 58 year old says "Yes! Yes and amen"
    will be 58 before we leave for the mission field - that is living with purpose and passion, yes?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are amazing! God bless you as you prepare to leave. Can't wait to read more about it.

      Delete
  5. Hi Elizabeth,

    Though we are at different stages in life, I have had this same thought recently. The prospect of the future can be both daunting and exciting but I want to do just like you asked.. live my life on purpose for the Lord so that I will not hold on to any regrets.
    Great suggestions, by the way.
    Bless you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dawn, thank you! Truth is truth at any age, isn't it?

      Delete
  6. Elizabeth, these words all ring SO true...........preach it! (and your photos were stunning.) Thanks for this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, friend. Hope to meet face to face again before too long!

      Delete
  7. Love this. I can especially relate to the "pursue your purpose". Recently God has been showing me my purpose is right in front of me. I don't really have to look that far. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think God's purpose is not as illusive as many people make it out to be. Love to you, Barbie.

      Delete
  8. Love this, Elizabeth! I'm trying to live my life similar to the way you are - trusting God and thanking Him for each and every day. I've been so much more content than trying to chase a dream that wasn't meant for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your contentment in Christ really comes through in your blog and your photos. They are always full of God's peace.

      Delete
  9. Such wonderful words of encouragement! I needed to be nudged in this direction! You help me see that in all my pursuits for "purpose", God has them right in front of me! I, too, am 56; soon to be 57 in April. I appreciate the charge to not "waste time" on such trivial things that I know do not please God. I'm ready to start today! I'm in! Let's do it! :) Have a blessed day!
    Faithfully,
    Cindy~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cindy, you go girl! I'm so glad that, as another 56 year old, you are embracing the fullness of what God has for you! We can encourage each other to keep on!

      Delete
  10. Thank you for speaking up for those of us who are past fifty years old. There is still so much ahead of us and it's important that we do it with passion! Your list could almost be mine! I love the photos of one of my favorite places - thanks for the heads up about the great place to stay for us 'old-timers'!
    ~Adrienne~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In the post I'm preaching to myself as well as encouraging others, but of course that's the way it usually is.

      Delete
  11. This was a great post and I admire your list of passions. You are my encourager and I want to "Let's do it" right along with you. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for this page, I have just started following you by email, and I hope this is alright, I have your button on my page, whiteonrice1.wordpress.com. Isn't Jesus lovely? Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so blessed to have you follow me, and of course I want you to have my blog button on your page!

      Delete
  13. Elizabeth,
    Such great wisdom here as you live what you write; the most powerful is example....and what a great deal, so happy you and your hubby got to enjoy it together :) oh, and boo to ageism

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your encouragement! I'm looking forward to reading your manifesto.

      Delete
  14. Your photos are beautiful and peaceful. And you share wonderful tips on living a full life. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth, it was such a blessing to get away to the beach and to have the weather so gorgeous! Thanks for your encouragement to me.

      Delete
  15. I'm still in my 40's, but my husband is in his 60's and I care for (in one way or another) my aging parents - this post is oozing with wisdom & warmth, Elizabeth! I will be reading it to my husband and pinning for future reference! Thank you for sharing what God put on your heart this week. BTW, I'm enjoying your passion for photography! These driftwood/beach shots are fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. June, it means so much to me to know that my post was helpful or encouraging to you in some way. Thanks for your kind comment about my photos.

      Delete
  16. I am approaching 50. At times I feel stuck...my mind thinks young but my body doesn't always agree. Hot flashes, mood changes, ugh!! But I read your words and thank you for the encouragement! You are right...God has a plan :) Keep on keeping on...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna, I think we need to support each other and encourage each other as we go through the changes the comes with growing older!

      Delete
  17. Loved this post, Elizabeth!!! I'll be 54 in May. Weird, but even though my outsides are changing, my insides feel the same. Your photography is just gorgeous.

    XO

    ReplyDelete

The best thing about blogging is hearing from you!
I'd love for you to leave a comment! Click subscribe by email if you want me to be able to reply to you.