Growing Old

I knew it would happen. I just didn't know when.

I believe that it sneaked up on me in he middle of the night while I was tossing and turning.

"What did?" you might ask.

Getting old.

How can I be old? How can I now be someone without children at home (for the last 10 years)?

It happens. You wake up one day and there it is right in front of you. An older version of the one you remember looking at 30 years ago.

I can't imagine my life passing so quickly without me even realizing how quickly it has. There are plenty of things that I remember and cherish in my heart. My daughter's wedding, my sons sporting events, and two great daughters in law, and one son in law (he's my favorite and they are co-favorites), grandchildren (7 of the best) and one great grandson, have all become a part of my past.

I will never forget growing up and wanting to hurry up and get out of school, get a job, find a wife, and just be an adult. I've done that for a long time. 40+ years and I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world. I love my family. We have made some great memories and that is what it is that growing old is all about.

Too bad that growing old also means that the hard drive memory chip God gave us fills up to a point some of us start loosing data and memory losses make us question even who we are and who our loved ones are.

Growing old is something that once you are there you wish you could go back and tell that younger self to spend more time with your friends and family when you were home growing up; going back and telling that teenage you to not rush through life because you'll forget most of what you did; going back to the day you got married, had your children, saw them begin to walk, heard them cry, watched them fall, learn to ride a bike, make and lose friends, meet that one they love, get married, have children, and begin their journey of growing old. Growing old is not fun, it is memorable. It is a way of making us realize that our memories are really important.

I have been told that I remember things that no one else does. Yes, but they are my memories. There are some I wish I didn't have to remember, but those too have shaped me into the person I am today. I'm not satisfied with where I am, but I believe that is a God thing. He wants me to strive to continue to grow and I believe He wants me to make more memories.

So, growing old is not all its cracked up to be with Teens and younger adults. I wish I could remember why I always thought that growing up and making my own way would be better than what I had. It still may be. However, I wish I had not had to do that.

I hope you can make sense of this...after all, I'm the one getting older, right?

Following the Crowd

Have you ever known someone who, after realizing that they had made a terrible mistake, keep heading in the same direction without changing anything? They are too proud to admit that they made a mistake and don't want to lose face with those that they may be hanging around with at the time. Their sphere of influence is based on those who are in agreement with them or are backing them with support in their mistake.

This type of attitude scares me, but it also helps me realize that there is something that needs to be done to help them. Letting them know that we love them and want nothing but for them to be right with God and themselves.

If you find yourself in that position, let me tell you now, I love you and will support you on your journey if you are wanting to get right with God. Actually, even in my family there are those that this applies to. It makes my heart ache as I watch them drift further and further from God. However, if you sincerely want to return, know that I am already praying for you whether or not I know of your situation. For those that I do know I hope you realize that I pray for you by name and want you to return, not for my sake, but for your soul to be in the hands of your Father as your time ends or He ends our time. I want you to hear "well done" not "depart from Me, I never knew you."

Please stop, turn around, begin walking toward God. He is right behind you with open arms, and we His children are praying for you to return.

I want you to come home!