I advanced another year today. Thank you, Lord, for all the years gone by and for never giving up on me.

More frequently, I hear myself saying without thinking, “I used to be able to…” (fill in the blank).

A couple of years back, one of our granddaughters was interested in learning gymnastics, and I was walking her through a cartwheel when I decided to show her one instead, except I hadn’t done one in over a decade. It wasn’t lovely. As I lay sprawled in the grass, I jokingly said, “Now that’s how not to do one.”  

Ugh! Apparently, I hadn’t learned from the time I had taken her and her sister ice skating and ended up with a cracked head.  

As I ponder these days, it’s easy to focus on what we have lost with age rather than on what we have gained from the lessons of our lives.

Seriously, I have no desire to go back and live those days of naïveté.

Looking back forty-five years, my world was small and simple before I married Mark. After our wedding, his Air Force career took us all over God’s green earth.

I used to be ignorant of the world, its people, and culture, but after living in Asia and Europe, my worldview expanded. I even discovered how to say chocolate in several languages. Despite our differences, we are more alike as humans than different.

In my youth, I used to tolerate going to Mass, generally clueless of what was happening. Prayer was just something we did. Through many lessons over the years both powerful and agonizing, God was drawing me closer and strengthening our relationship. I learned to cooperate with His plans for me, recognizing His quiet voice in my heart.

As my yes increased, so did the gifts I received personally and for others. This encouraged me to trust God more and extend myself. Where I used to be quiet and more reserved, keeping religion safely tucked inside the locked doors of my heart, I began to be more open and willing to live my faith and share more publicly.

It may have taken decades for God to gently work through me, ever patient, as I learned to trust His ways.

Today, I treated myself to a mani/pedi, and wouldn’t you know that God showed me how far I have come as He used me to help someone else. As we spoke, it was evident that we shared many commonalities. Too many to be a coincidence. The lovely woman who took care of me was a gift from God. We each had five kids. I was older by twenty years, I’m guessing. She was in the thick of the teen years and had some challenges with her daughter. The words of hope and encouragement poured from my mouth as easily as sharing my favorite recipe. Her husband was recently paralyzed, and the exhaustion she felt from working and caregiving. My father was paralyzed, allowing me to share many encouraging and helpful suggestions. It was uncanny how God had brought her and I together for this moment. I asked her if I could give her a hug when I left, and tears came into her eyes as she thanked me for giving her hope and encouragement.

I was touched and honored.

You see, a lot of time has passed since I used to be able to do cartwheels and splits, but would never have known what to say to someone in her situation.  It felt good to lift her spirits and offer a different perspective which my experience and time allowed.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

Instead of bemoaning what we used to be able to do, may I suggest we focus on how we have grown and use that gift to encourage others on the road behind us. Being an old fart isn’t so bad if the gift we give others is one of encouragement and hope.

So as I begin my 67th year on the planet, I just wanted to say thank you, God. Thank you for everything you allowed me to experience and learn.

Thank you for answering prayers that brought me my husband and his joyful laughter, who brings out the best and the worst in me. Yet perfectly complements me.

Thank you for the challenges, for the eyes of faith to see You in beautiful sunsets and incredible starry nights, and for the faces of our lovely children who grew up and married amazing spouses, and for the 18+ crazy grandbabies I get to bake with and have pillow fights.

Thank you to the friends and family who have enriched my life.

I give you today and the rest of my days. May I continue to be an instrument for your praise and glory.

I’m published! Do you want to learn more about the Blessed Virgin Mary? Why not pick up the book here! This collection of over 30 titles of Our Lady and how she worked in the lives of its authors. I wrote the chapter on Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Every order in December will also receive a 5X7 copy of the original work by artist Thomas Hanchett, of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Thank YOU!