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Count Every Year A Blessing
I Am Really, Really Old
Linda J.
Gilden
“My life is full and every day brings sweet surprises."
Four-year-old Trey took my face in his hands and squeezed
as he pulled me close to him. "Rose, you are really, really old!"
Caught
a little off guard, I just smiled at my grandson. He wouldn't really want to
know what I thought about that remark!
Getting even closer so that our noses almost touched, he
smiled with a twinkle in his eye and said, "But we won't tell
anybody!"
Never
one to dwell on age, it didn't matter to me who knew how "really,
really old" I was. But to a lot of people, it is important to keep
track as the years pass.
Many
friends mark milestone birthdays with elegant parties, skydiving experiences,
and trips around the world.
Not
a party person or particularly adventurous, what does getting older look like
to me?
Age
is not chronological. Despite the increasing number of candles on my birthday
cake, I choose to enjoy each year as it comes and count it as a blessing, not
something to dread.
One
thing that comes with getting older is that the comfort level with myself has
increased.
At
some point I realized God had created me to fill a special spot in His plan, a
place no one else could fill.
Thus,
the competition in life diminished and I enjoy my friends and family without
concern of what I did.
My
spot was already there and those around me couldn't take it away. How
comforting!
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew
in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 NLT
This
realization translated into everything I did.
When
I write a book, I don't have to worry that someone else may write that book or
whether an acquisitions editor will get that book from someone else.
Mine
is unique. And as I search for the right place for it, I meet many wonderful
people along the way, people who allow me to be me!
Along
with my growing self-assurance have come diminishing thoughts about what others
think.
Oh,
I still want to make a good impression because in everything I do I am an ambassador
of the King.
But
as long as He is okay with what I do, that is all that matters.
Probably
the biggest benefit to getting "really, really old" is the
spiritual growth I have experienced.
There
is a different sort of expectation about what is to come.
I
read my Bible and take the messages to heart with a new anticipation.
When
I worship, the connection seems stronger, the line more direct. Fellowship with
those who have the same perspective encourages and uplifts me.
Lest
you think that one day I just woke up and bounced out of bed with this
perspective, I did not.
God
has been teaching me for over half a century. For some things, I caught on
pretty quickly. In some ways I have been a slow learner.
In
others, He has sent difficult lessons where there was no option but to sit in
His lap and let Him teach me.
In
all ways, He has been changing and growing me into the person He wants me to
be.
Am I
sitting around with my bags packed, waiting for the heavenly bus to get to my
stop? Absolutely not!
My
life is full and every day brings sweet surprises.
Does
it really matter to me if Trey tells everybody how old I am? Not a bit.
"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by
living a godly life." Proverbs 16:31NLT
While
my younger years were fun and full, I am finding even better times now that I
am "really, really old!"
Can
God change your life?
God
has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover
how you can find peace with God. You can also send us your prayer requests.
Linda Gilden is an award-winning
writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality
consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing. Linda
recently released Articles,
Articles, Articles! and is the author of over a thousand magazine
articles and 18 books including the new LINKED Quick Guides for Personalities. She is a regular
columnist for thewriteconversation.com, almostanauthor.com, just 18 summers,
and the Christian Communicator. As Director of the Carolina Christian
Writers Conference, Linda helps many writers take the next step in reaching
their writing goals. Linda’s favorite activity (other than eating folded potato
chips) is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing
grandchildren — a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com
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