Psalm 90:12 (The prayer of Moses – the man of God)
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
80th Birthday – 2018
A year ago this day, we also were here in Placerville with our son and his family, joined by friends who came to celebrate Bob’s 80th birthday. The picture above shows Bob with the card Ty & Monika created for him using candy bars to accentuate the message.
Aging Gracefully?
The days between then and now find us both slowing down a bit. He finds it necessary to catch cat naps during the day more often. Outdoor chores take a toll on the back and leg muscles. Physical activities (like downhill skiing) are still fun, but hours on the slopes, taking the double diamond runs, without a break… well that’s not a good idea anymore.
How can we accept the aging process that seems to limit our energy? Well, duh … what’s the alternative? We die – or we become grumpy – or we listen to our bodies and take those breaks when the need arises! Aging gracefully means thanking God for all the things we CAN still do … and not focusing on the things we CAN’T do anymore… at least not at the speed and length of time we used to. Right?
Number our Days
We know our days are numbered… and only God has the answer. We know Jesus Christ promised He would come again and take all who believe with Him to our eternal home. Only God has the number of that day, too. So, our job is not to worry about what the numbers are, but to live fully for as long as He gives us.
Living Fully
That photo of Bob with our son, Ty, granddaughter, Faith, and her husband, Kyle was taken at our house in Montana last Thanksgiving.
A year ago Bob went skiing with Ty & Faith here in the Sierra Nevada mountains. This year, the crowds and the conditions caused Bob to say, “Let’s wait til we come back through in January and ski then.”
Someday Bob’s skiing may be limited to pulling our great-grandchildren on a sled in the snow… that is if we are fortunate enough to live long enough to gracefully accept the limitations that numbered days may bring!
Meantime, there are spring times and summers, autumns and early winters when the fishing is great in Ennis, Montana…
And there is always yard work that beckons him to keep the lawn trimmed, the flowers healthy, and the weeds at bay…
… and in the winter there is rarely a time when there is not snow to shovel!
We look forward to the numbered day on our ATV when we can enjoy with friends the beauty of the mountain trails above our Madison Valley.
Gain a Heart of Wisdom
Yes, looking at what we CAN do and not dwelling on the things we find more difficult to do as we add to the number of our days… that’s part of wisdom.
So is taking time daily to read God’s Word, and apply his principles to our lives.
In Psalm 90, Moses’ prayer also says, (in verse 10) “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass and fly away.”
Thank God, Bob can say, “The best of them are here and now… and with God’s blessings the best are also yet to come.”
They may quickly pass (as we age they seem to fly by more quickly with each sunrise and sunset), but we do not focus on the trouble and sorrow.
Focus on your blessings, my friends. Focus on the CANS, not the CAN’Ts!!
Enjoy each day… and look for the wisdom it contains.
BOB!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek on the occasion of this wonderful 81st birthday. See ya tomorrow.
Today’s sermon was told by Elaine Hundley, in her husband Rev. Steve Hundley’s absence. The sermon focused on Joseph, the baby Jesus’ earthly father.
We pray for Steve as he sits at his dying mother’s bedside way over on the other side of the USA. We pray for Elaine who is experiencing her first Christmas apart from Steve in 42 years! She remained here to carry on Steve’s ministry in our church. God bless her!
I listened carefully to capture the message as Elaine delivered a sermon Steve had written some years ago. To understand the introduction, you need to know that Steve and Elaine are adoptive parents.
Here are my poetic renderings:
“Feeling Good About Christmas”
The adoption agency checked us out. They made sure we were okay. I wonder what God did to check out Mary and Joseph to parent Jesus His way.
Joseph was a righteous man who Believed the angel Gabriel who told: “The baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” So Joseph didn’t desert her – nor scold.
He took her to be his wife, And ignored what might have been said By the town folks as they gossiped. He knew she was pure and had not “gone to bed.”
Joseph was a good man, a believer, Who read and understood God’s grace. He saw through the Holy Spirit’s lenses, And was able to accept this Holy Child from God’s Holy place.
May we, too, know the Christ Child as God’s gift to us.Amen!
Happy Fourth Sunday of Advent. May the peace of Christ permeate your heart and give you a peace-filled week.
The Phipps Arboretum in Pittsburgh is an amazing place. We visited there with Jodie this morning. I took all kinds of pictures so I could share the experience with you. I hope you enjoy these amazing plants, decorated trees, and flowers.
Jodie & Bob in front of the Phipps Museum
One whole area in the museum was devoted to plants from Cuba. That area was very humid and warm.Another area was devoted to the North Pole Christmas theme.These reindeer were made out of sponges!The gigantic glass flowers in the next picture were created by Jason Gamrath, a student of glass artist, ChihulyTake a look at these unusual orchids. The sign said, “Transvaal.”I love the ruffly white orchids.
Jodie was fascinated by the spotted orchids.
“Wine spots” – interesting, huh?
Thanks for touring with us. I hope you enjoyed the flowers as much as we did!
See ya later… I’m headed to the Masonic Home to play with Liam.
Are they lily pure? Is every word uplifting? You can’t take them back!
Words spoken with love Can be the perfume of life Hurtful words just stink!
Ever smelled a “Stink bug”?
We have declared November to be the month of kindness and gratitude. Not just kindness to those who are kind to us, but kindness to to everyone and everything. Kindness to ourselves, our neighbors, our pets, the neighbor’s pets, our plants and trees… even kindness to those who hurt us!
Let our words be like the fertilizer that helps others to change and grow.
One kind word can change someone’s entire day. One kind word might even change a life.
What’s a word you might say today from your sincere heart that will brighten someone’s day? It doesn’t have to be eloquent. It isn’t flattery. It’s just simple and honest.
I love that you are here on JanBeek today. You make my day brighter with your “like” and your comment.
But, you really lift my spirit when you are inspired to take the message to heart – and go out and LIVE a LIFE of LOVE.
Sing along with this beautiful song that reminds us to speak and sing and think and live in the perfume of “Wonderful Words of Life.”
Feed your mind loving words… “Wonderful words, beautiful words, wonderful words of life” and then go out and feed others!
Yesterday when I Googled my symptoms, if you read my blog you know that Google said I just need more flowers.
I was busy asking for prayers for healing from this “bug” that attacked my throat and brought on coughing and sneezing spells.
But, God knew Google was right. He sent a friend with flowers!
Fragrant orange sage in sunflowers
There’s nothing so fine as a friend who comes bearing flowers right when you need them most!
Friends answer your prayers to God!
A message to my friend: I am thinking of you in a special way. Whenever we’re together and even when we’re not Warm and caring thoughts of you make me smile a lot.
Friends penetrate the “Veil of Illusion”
Friends are in my heart I ‘m on a “Friends” kick this week Because I need them!
Where would we be without these? We all need them – – – all the time!
God bless our friends!
Thank you for visiting. Your comments and “likes” make me feel so much better! You’re an answer to prayer.
