December 5, 2019
There ain’t nothing that sneaks up on you like getting older. One minute, you’re bright-eyed and ready to take on the world. The next minute, you’re buying eye cream and longing for a nap.
I can relate all too well. Another 365 have passed and earlier this week, I landed smack dab in the middle of another birthday. Another candle on the cake. Another digit to the age.
This was the first one in a really long time that I didn’t hear my Daddy tell me the story about how the nurse told him he had a little girl. And just how happy that made him. He passed away in January and boy, I sure missed my birthday phone call from him.
On more than one occassion, he would call to report that my birthday card would be a little late. “I turned that calendar, and darn, it was December,” he would explain. (Choice words changed to keep this thing PG.) Admittedly, the first few times he said this, it annoyed me. Didn’t he realize that the same month was coming after November just like always?
But I learned to be more gracious. And I actually looked forward to this explanation from him. It tickles me to this day.
And honestly, isn’t it really such a good summation of birthdays anyway? You’re contentedly living life. Then, bam, the calendar flips and you’re another year older. Another year gone by. More time past that I haven’t done this or gone there or checked one more box. I’ve found myself wondering if I’m really making the most of it all. These past few years, since hitting my um…40s, it’s been tempting to focus more on all of the things I haven’t accomplished.
Seeing the wrinkles rather than the laugh lines.
Reciting the mistakes rather than the lessons.
Longing for a re-do rather than relishing the moments.
Wishing for yesterday rather than hoping in tomorrow.
In Beth Moore’s study Entrusted, she writes, “Your calling is not behind you. It’s in front of you.”
I LOVE that. I may have more years in the rearview mirror than I actually can believe are there. But God has more planned for me ahead.
He has more people for us to love, more places to shine His light, and more days to walk with Him.
Your calling is ahead of you. In the next hour, the next day, and yes, even when you flip to that next darn month.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one think I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14