Growing older


It is my birthday this week and I have reached a significant age. This is the one age that I am not overly keen on reaching as it feels so old.  But I was pulled up sharp by this quote — my sister died as a tiny baby, she never reached 10 or 20 and certainly never got to 50. A friend I went to school with died from cancer in hers 30s. She was vivacious woman, full of life and energy — taken too soon.

Age is only a number — it does not define who you are

We must be thankful for every year that the Lord gives us and enjoy each precious moment because we will never enjoy it again and we have no idea of tomorrow. 

Remember you only have one life — this is not a dress rehearsal

Old age doesn't mean the end of fun or laughter, nor does it mean giving up and having no more adventures. I do pray that I have many more years to live and that those years are full of living. Whilst I am not keen about being 50, one can do very little about it. I can't stop reaching 50, so I need to embrace it instead !! 

Learn to laugh at yourself. Don’t be so serious!

Anyway, God has a very special job for older women. In fact, He doesn't want me to sit moaning  and groaning about getting older — He wants me to help younger women and what a gift that is to be given. A very precious gift indeed.


The older women likewise . . . that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5)


I hope through this blog I have been able to guide younger women in this very tough and stressful world — a world where it is hard to find anyone who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ or anyone who cares.  I hope I have been able to show why it is important to love (and obey) our husbands, love our children and why taking caring of ours homes is something we need to do (even if we don't enjoy it). 

No matter our age, we need to keep smiling, keep being joyful, be grateful daily, share kindness with others, be tolerant in a world that is not, be understanding in a world that isn't interested. Share our love for the Lord to those who do not care.  


“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!” 

~ Marjorie Pay Hinckley ~




Comments

  1. I agree totally with the age thing, I know many who do not make it. Princess Diana for one. I have a friend who is in ICU today with cancer, he turned 50 yesterday....so heartbreaking for his wife, kids. Remember Chuck in your prayers

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    1. It is sad to hear stories such as your friends and I will certainly add Chuck to my prayers tonight :)

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  2. You say your friend sadly died in her 30's... She was vivacious woman, full of life and energy — taken too soon.
    Just wondering what is the "right" age to die?
    Happy belated birthday for this week.
    Jane

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    1. Jane, that is such a tricky question :) God knows the right time and what appear to be too early is certainly not in God's eyes. Why did he take my sister home at age 3 months, because of her death I was born - why was I allow to live? Questions only God can answer. Why does God take young mothers and leave children with no mothers? I have no answers to these questions, but God does and in his time we may know some of the answers.

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  3. Great reminder to LIVE life and enjoy it - easy or hard, we have only one opportunity to live lives that glorify God!

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    1. Yep - just one opportunity - we either use it or waste it and I choose to use it :))

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  4. I so wish I was 50 again. It goes so fast once you get there, but learning to savor every moment of every day.

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  5. Dear Jo,
    Please allow me to pass on my best wishes for your 50th birthday, a milestone I reached last year. I understand how you felt, but like you, called to mind those of my family and friends who were not so fortunate.
    The strangest thing about being 50 for me has been finding memories that feel like they happened just a few years ago, are now 20 or 30 years behind me!
    You have blessed us all with your blog and I hope you will keep on doing it for many years to come..

    Christine xx

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    1. I was talking about school milk and how horrible it was and it was 40 years ago but I still remember it as if it was recent. Thankyou for your lovely and touching compliment, I will keep writing as long as the Lord guides and instructs me in what I write.

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  6. Happy birthday to you Jo! I will be 60 next year, and wow, that seems surreal! But there is still so much to do and see and learn, and so many people to help and encourage. I love that quote at the end of your post! Blessings to you, Deborah

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    1. You and me can slide into graves with a lot of noise and cheers knowing we have had a great ride through life!!!

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  7. 50 has been the first milestone age that really hit me. All the sudden I am old. In my 40s still youngish but 50 and bam I am old ;-) However I am also looking forward to this next time of life, it just needs to get here. (still have children at home)

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    1. I have to agree with you - I looked forward to 30 and 40 but 50 appears old :( But I still feel the same today as i did a week ago when I was 49, so it is all in the mind!!!!

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  8. This is the saying that I've been looking for. I'm so blessed that I've gotten to live this long-I hope to live longer though! Age never really has bothered me except for a few more aches and pains here and there. thanks for the great article

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    1. Thanks - I do love that quote!! I know lots of ladies who are 50+ who are young at heart and lots of fun, that is what I want to be like :) My knee did ache t0day, but it did when I was 45, so perhaps not to do with age!!!

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  9. Amen! As an older woman who soon will be 66, everyday I see how important it is to use the gifts that the Lord has given me to their fullest! That is one of my heart's desires is to impact the younger women positively for their homes and their families. I often fail but God is so gracious and allows one more opportunity! Blessings my friend.

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    1. Isn't it wonder that God does keep giving up more opportunities to get things right and has such patiences in teaching us :)

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  10. Happy Birthday!! I'm turning 50 in March. I tell ya, there is not ONE SINGLE AGE I would go back to in my life even if I could. I'm excited to be turning 50 (not so excited about the extra lines around my eyes, and EEK! there are some 'lip lines' forming), I've got a tattoo lined up and everything to celebrate/mark my journey up to this point. Also, I'm THAT much closer to going home! (starts to get exciting thinking about 'Forever' with Christ!) Cheers on your 50th! #smallvictoriessundaylinkup

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    1. Sounds like you have completely embraced your 50s which is what we all should do - love your attitude :))

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  11. Every part of life is a season - and as we know, weather seasons come and they go. It's so true that we need to make the most of every moment - once gone, they are gone forever. I find it interesting that the Scriptures talk about "redeeming the time, because the days are evil" - it makes you stop and think about how you can do that. The Greek word for redeem in that verse bears study, I reckon, using a Strongs concordance :)

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