How do you feel about getting older? In my family we have 11 September birthdays (which includes my own) and even more in the extended family. It made me think about how do I like birthdays? Well I concluded I love them as I make it a habit (and have for years) to celebrate everyones life in some way on their birthday. To have life is so special, Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full!" Do you realize that our God is a very big party celebrator? He commanded his people the Israelites to plan three very important holidays that they spent at least 7 days worshipping, eating, drinking, dancing and hanging out together in tents or in each others homes or at the temple or in local synagogues. Anyway I personally think that is so very cool and fun! Some people think heaven will be boring, but that is because they don't know what kind of God we worship in the Bible. Even in this world that has all of it's problems God gives us so much life! I know I long for heaven in one respect but I also look forward to all the joy God has for me in this life until he calls me Home. Therefore I have no death wish, so don't feel guilty if you want to live awhile - that is a God given gift and we must enjoy life expecting good things, only God can give.
With all that pondering about life I realized I am expected to be content with the places God has called me to live. Getting older teaches me through many experiences (good or bad) that I need to be content and then I am so much happier! I love to worry about what could or couldn't happen and that just takes the joy out of life. This last while as I come into the 5th year of the loss of Tom and the 1st year loss of John, I know I can't foresee what will happen in my future. Sometimes I worry that to be alone the rest of my life will be so lonely and then on the other side I worry getting married again could bring so many problems!! Things always happen that I don't expect or I say I will never do! Ridiculous! It is time I be content in whatever place God thinks I should be! This is my earnest prayer, if you are praying for me that is the best thing to pray for - contentment in whatever place or situation God wants me to be in and serve Him.
Our pastor has been teaching on what it takes to be a disciple of Christ. The first week he taught us to look for Jesus in all of life and expect to see Him. When we are in tune with Him and listening and seeing we notice when water changes to wine or when there is a resurrection (great things I don't want to miss). The second week we learned as a disciple we need to know and understand love. Love frees us from slavery of sin but we don't have to rush to grow up in the Lord as any kind of growing takes time. Finally today he taught us to love the church and realize we are all a part of the body (the church) and need one another. One person is like a hand another an ear or an eye, etc. The church family is such a blessing, we don't want to go through our Christian walk without that precious family. I know first hand how great it is to be surrounded by God's people who care and walk with you through sorrow! For me it is a bit of heaven on earth. I'm excited to be an expectant believer! How about you?
