Some encouragement for the rest of us...

Sometimes being 56 is a blessing.

You get senior discounts, for example.

The Hubs and I just got back from two nights on the Oregon coast where we got the senior discount

on a lovely king sized suite, with an in room jacuzzi and free breakfast, for a total of $76  per night!

Yay for being "old"!

Then, at one of the stores there I found my favorite soft sweatshirt in a soft coral color for 50% off, 

plus another 10% off for the senior discount!

Yippee!

I'm well aware of the fact that getting older can be frustrating.

Things change in your body.

Wrinkles happen, (as do other things that I don't want to talk about). 

 I recently had an experience where I felt totally "dismissed" due to my age.

It was the first time I felt the sting of "ageism".

It really smarted!

My deep down desire is for the rest of the life God gives me here on this earth

to be the best of my life.

I desire it for myself, but I desire to be an encouragement for others so that they can experience the best

 that God has for them in their latter years as well.

So, how about five PRACTICAL ways to make that happen,

to make the rest of your life the best of your life?

First of all, live a life of PEACE.

Are you tormented by worry, fear and anxiety?

Are you struggling with bitterness, anger and unforgiveness?

Are you discouraged, depressed and feeling hopeless?

All of these are peace robbers.

God wants His peace to rule your mind and heart and He has done, and will continue to do,

 all that it takes to help you to live a life ruled by His peace.

(Colossians 3:14-16 gives the key to overcoming all of the above issues,

which is letting the Word dwell richly in your mind and heart.)

Let's get PHYSICAL!

How many people do you know that become totally sedentary in their latter years.

If you don't use it, you will lose it...

your muscle tone, your strength, your energy.

Keep on moving.

Refuse to be sedentary.

You don't have to be a marathon runner or a weight lifter,

(though if you are more power to you!).

At least get out and walk if nothing else.

{And if you're married, the other connotation of the word physical is good for you too.

I'm just sayin'.}

Embrace your PURPOSE!

If you are still breathing, you still have a God given purpose.

Sometimes we are looking for some huge heaven sent proclamation about our purpose,

"Hey you!  Sell everything you have and move to Zimbabwe."

Now that could happen,

but I find that God's purposes are usually more right in front of you.

"Love your husband.  Pray for your children. Mentor your grandkids.  Teach a Bible study.

Give the single mama next door a sack of groceries.  Write so and so an encouraging note."

Ask God to use you for His purpose each day, 

one day at a time.

Don't waste your days, weeks, months, years, expecting some big grandiose voice from heaven.

Listen for God's still small voice to lead and direct you right now.

Then obey what He says!

PURSUE your PASSION!

Here are my passions,

(I will try to list them in priority order).

God-I want to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and always keep growing in my relationship with Him

My husband-I want to continue to grow and improve at loving him well and being the wife and partner that he needs

My daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren-I want to be the best mama, mother-in-law and nana that I can be.

Church-I want to fulfill my part in the body of Christ.

  I am passionate about teaching God's Word, mentoring others, and helping them to find freedom in Christ. 

 I want to also do my part to support the body of Christ beyond my local church.

Home-I love homemaking!  I love to decorate, cook and do all of those domestic type things that make home such a lovely word.

Writing-I love words and how they can weave a story, communicate a feeling, teach and encourage.

I love to write so I have to chose to make the time to do so.

Photography-I still have lots to learn about photography, but I am enjoying this relatively new passion.

So, those are a few of my passions.

I feel fulfilled and happy when I'm doing the things I'm passionate about.

What is your passion?

What are you doing to pursue it?

Focus on other PEOPLE.

A self-focused, self-absorbed life is a miserable life.

I think we're always healthier and happier when we are 

reaching up to God,

reaching out to our peers and pursuing healthy relationships,

and reaching down to someone to help or mentor or encourage.

Last week I shared some encouragement for young mamas.

But, I'm well aware of the fact that our generation can feel forgotten.

We can feel forgotten by our youth oriented culture.

We can feel forgotten in the church culture that's trying to be relevant to the youth oriented culture!

We can waste the rest of our life trying to fix how others perceive and treat us

or we can quite wasting our time and start today to make our life the kind of life we really want.

I say, 'LET'S DO IT!"

If you are saying it too, won't you take time to leave a comment and let me know?

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