A few weeks ago my blog titled “Life is Short” mentioned we downsized big time and moved 10 years ago when we turned 70. I am now shocked because it seems like that was just the other day. Yet here we are 10 years later moving to a more maintenance-free environment, no stairs and less space to clean and manage. And I am struggling with finding so many unfinished projects as I pack things up – especially projects in my major focus area of family history.
So I was delighted to come across Sue Tell’s blog in her “Echoes of Grace” ministry which includes reflections that resonate with God’s grace. She captured my attention with her statement: “My gift of years invites me to look back, notice, gain perspective on the hards, and be encouraged by the path God orchestrated.”
She was inspired by Joan Chittister’s book, The Gift of Years, and highly recommended it (if you’re old enough to read it!). Chittister says her book is not only for those surprised by learning they are on the brink of ‘old age’ as well as those who are concerned about their parents and the kind of issues older age may be raising in them.
And it is for those who want to reflect on the gradual effects of the aging process in their own lives, but finally, for those who do not “feel” old, whatever their chronological age, but who one day realize with a kind of numbing astonishment that they have not managed to elude it. They are older than they ever thought they could possibly become, called “seniors” and “elderly” by the young around them, despite the fact that inside themselves they feel no different now than they did a year ago. That truly resonates with me.
And here is the delight of how Sue Tell responded to The Gift of Years. She and her husband were set to reminiscing about the journey God had taken them on. She saw the chapters clearly, she says “perhaps the most clearly ever”.
In my earlier Family History focus years, I taught classes on how to put together and create photo/story books telling one’s Life Story. So I loved how Sue outlined these chapters (so much richer in the wording than general guiding categories tend to bring out in people):
The Prelude – the family I grew up in
College Years – years of decisions
The Waiting Years – single, teaching third grade
Marriage, the Early Years
Marriage with Kids – the Middle Years
The first Interlude
Facing My Giants
My Crash
Bill’s Burnout
The Big Pivot
National Leadership Team Years
The second Interlude
Sabbatical – one-half Year
Intentional Influence
Fantastic – in my opinion! Don’t they resonate with you, or prompt you to put your own naming of “chapters” in place? And yes, that includes the “hards” – so important! She offered questions which I highly recommend you take a few minutes to pause and reflect upon as you read them:
What about you?
Where are you on your journey?
How might you title your chapters?
How are you experiencing God in your current chapter?
What scriptures encourage you and provide hope for your tomorrow?
Reflecting on Job 12:12 which says “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”, I realize Job is referencing the next verse “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Yes, with our years, we have seen the wisdom of the Lord and learned to trust it and Him.
Love the Amplified version of Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age, I will be the same, and even to your graying years, I will carry you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you, and I will deliver you.”
And I find encouragement for my Family History focus in Psalm 71:18: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”
Is that not a perfect “Call to Action”?
Yes, one of those “unfinished projects” I mentioned above is the final weaving together of all the pages and stories and photos I have created for my Life Story. And I will be starting with the “life chapter” listing as inspired by Sue Tell’s list – that is to be sure the key ingredients of my story are covered in what I have created to date. So that is going on my “urgent” list.
Yep! I am pitching the baton to you. Because as we age, it is comforting to reflect on God’s unwavering faithfulness in our lives. Every year adds to a story of His provision and love in our lives – have we identified and captured those? I love how another blogger put it – “Our old age becomes a testimony of God’s enduring support and mercy.” Amen to that.
Challenging you to identify a day and time to do your reminiscing and “chapter naming” – may you be blessed in that effort!
