One of the
negative things about getting older is that you begin to realize there just may
not be enough time for you to accomplish all the things you had planned.
That “bucket
list” begins to look like a long list of impossibilities. There are so many
places in the world you want to see and just not enough time, let alone
resources, to allow you to get to them. That house you’ve always dreamed of
right on the ocean, that sizeable nest egg tucked away, that perfect health and
perfectly situated family, and oh, that breakthrough novel, well ...
Sometimes
the dreams come crashing into the brick wall of reality and all we can do is
sigh.
But when the
future looks all too short it can also be wonderfully focused. Suddenly you don’t
want to travel the world, you’d just like to make it to that one special place.
The house by the sea might not be possible but a satisfying reno to the one you
live in overlooking that little pond will do just nicely. The nest egg tucked
away might seem small but then you realize your wants aren’t really needs after
all. Your health is allowing you to live well for your age, your family will
never be perfect but they are all connected and involved in your life and that
novel ... well ...
There is
that new tool you’ve just learned to use that will help a lot and there’s that
email you just received from someone who read your latest effort. And suddenly
there’s that peace that God is not just in His heaven, but right here beside
you, involved in your life, teaching, guiding, drawing you close.
And suddenly
the sigh turns to a smile because it is enough. No, not just enough, it is all
gift, all joy, all reasons to be thankful for the time, the place, the people
and purpose He has given you.
Yes, another
New Year is under way. And I am older. So I’m humming a simple old chorus - “This
is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm
118:24).
****
Marcia Lee Laycock is the author of three novels and three devotional books. Find her on the web:
Website, Amazon , twitter, Pinterest and Smashwords
4 comments:
Marcia, thank you for sharing this lovely devotional piece. Great perspective on life - living in grace and gratitude, when approaching one's later years.~~+~~
Thanks, Peter. :)I appreciate your comment, as always. :)
Marcia...I really resonate with this sensitively written thought piece. Thank you, fellow scribe, for these words and your life example of quiet contentment. We all need this encouragement to walk that way.
Post a Comment