Getting Old

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,

And He delights in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;

For the LORD upholds him with His hand. 

I have been young, and now am old… (Psa 37:23-25)

They say there are three signs of old age. The first is your loss of memory. I forget the other two. 

 As this year draws to an end and another year of my life is behind me, I find this psalm quite comforting.  For though at times I miss the days of my youth, I would not trade them for the days I am now in – there is a peace and contentment I never knew then – and a knowing that keeps me secure.  As David says, I may stumble but He is always there to lift me up with a gentle touch and a warm embrace.  And while there are things I may forget, I know that I am never forgotten and that He will always remind me of those things that I need to know – which is mostly Him.

Don’t worry about anything . . .

but throw your worries upon God.

This was part of my reading this morning.  I must confess, worry is something I’ve always struggled with.  I don’t want to worry because I do believe God is not pleased when I do but I’m not sure, once it starts, just how to stop it.    

This morning the last half of the verse really caught my attention – it was almost like a challenge, a test me and see sort-of-thing.  So I decided I’d give it a go and the following is my testimony.   

          

We’re currently in the mountains.  Several months ago I bought a shirt at a local thrift store.  It was a bit big, but perfect for wearing around the house with a pair of sweat pants.  I just leave it here, it’s my mountain shirt and in a funny way I look forward to wearing it when we’re here.

Well the last time we were here I couldn’t find it when we were getting ready to leave.  No big deal, but it “worried” me a bit.  When we got here this time, I immediately began looking for it and still wasn’t able to find it. 

This is where my testimony comes in.  After the reading from Philippians and pondering a bit, I decided that since I didn’t know where it was and that not knowing was “worrying” me, I would simply throw my worries upon God – after all, I was sure He knew where it was – so I left it with Him and went about my day.

As I was taking my morning shower, which I truly love on a cold winter’s morn in the mountains, out of the blue it occurred to me “look behind the dresser”.  And so that is what I did . . . and guess what was there.  Hidden and just barely visible –  was my shirt.

Now I realize with all the problems in the world today, finding a shirt is not a high priority.  But for me it was just an example of my Father’s love and care . . . and a bit of humor as well.  Isn’t He just amazing <3

A remembering and a prayer

I was reading this morning about a situation of a girl in high-school, shy and uncertain, and how she was bullied by others.  Remembering how in my youth others (even those who were supposedly my friends) would point out, with great delight, any flaws in personality or appearance.  For me it was having light facial hair, big breasts and even the fact that I wouldn’t “put out” for my boyfriend.  Those words and actions left open wounds that have healed over time as I’ve learned that I am not defined but what others think of me, but it has taken a life time and the love and grace of a loving Father.  And while the wounds have healed, the scars remain

But I have also come to accept these scars as trophies, blessings in disguise, because I am stronger and more secure because of them.  What the world may say is not who I am.  I am a daughter of The King, loved and adored and cherished: He has turned ashes into beauty, sorrow into joy and made whole what was broken.

My prayer is for those who have been bullied by the world, that they would come to know and accept that they are loved unconditionally; that they have a heavenly Father who is longing to embrace them and rejoice over them – if they will let Him.