What I Have and Haven’t Learned in 54 Years

“Am I getting nobler, better, more helpful, more humble, as I get Older?
Am I exhibiting the life that men take knowledge of as having been with Jesus,
or am I getting more self-assertive, more deliberately determined
to have my own way? It is a great thing to tell yourself the truth.”

The Place of Help from the Quotable Oswald Chambers

Tomorrow I’ll celebrate 54 years of life on this planet. I anticipate cards, a cake, and maybe presents, but I also want to pause to truly consider those years. My first thought is how much I have to be thankful for…incredible family, meaningful ministry, a continuing, growing awareness of God, hope for the future. I hope that I take none of these for granted. I am truly blessed, but obviously, some years are better than others.

“To everything there is a season…” is truth beyond measure. Learning to recognize the season I am in makes all the difference in my ability to accept what is going on in my life at any given moment – and gives me the chance to plan for the next season. When I was young I didn’t think much about adulthood, or middle age, or old age. I hope that I am wiser now in that regard.

Here is some of what I’ve learned in 54 years…I guess it would be better phrased as an ongoing action – “What I am learning/experiencing:”

That listening is usually much more important than speaking (I credit my Clinical Pastoral Education [chaplaincy course] for that nugget of truth.)
That God’s holiness is beyond our comprehension
That God’s grace is more extreme than we can fathom
That worship and experiencing God can happen anywhere – especially at the bedside of a dying patient
The dichotomy of being created in God’s image, yet our propensity to sin
That some people are just plain mean and I don’t have time to waste on them
Not to take life itself for granted and to plan for old age
That music and writing and art are a balm for my soul – as are tears, when needed
That laughing with my teenage daughter is really, really fun
How to live with grief (As a nursing home Chaplain, I see a lot of loss.)
How to take care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally

What I haven’t learned:

How to take care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally…what can I say? It’s an ongoing process.
How to say “no” to chocolate, Dr. Pepper, and fried potatoes of any kind
How to be a morning person – just ask my husband (And by the way, I don’t see this ever happening.)
How anyone can say “no” to the hope and love of Christ

So, another year down and who knows how many more to go. I look forward to the coming year and to what God has in store.

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