The Future Is Open Wide: Tell Me Your Story

.

Hi Julianna
Welcome to GE 50+ Forum


'Life Style Changes'

a little like being marooned at sea
aboard a raft (alone)
subject to variable wind directions

for a while
this drifting can be, aimless
unless you install a rudder /sail
and take-control of your direction

Doing something else! with the remainder of your days
is less-difficult, once, you begin MOVING towards it

As Sheila did, you could do further study
use that study, to reinforce/ expand upon
a past hobby/ pastime
and the 'oyster' is (then) opened

Pray for guidance...
Examine your 'strengths/ talents'
Be led by your experienced intuition

We all must do this


dave

Hi, Julianna,
Every stage of our lives has a purpose and a direction, I am sure of that. And even though I think that being a mother is the most important role of my life, I would like to re-think that and re-define it. God can and uses people who do not have children or people whose children are grown for His purposes in a very powerful way.
OK, about me. My son is grown and lives at home. He is self sufficient and a blessing to us. As my son was getting older and did not need me, my father was ailing and required much help. I am glad that good Lord gave me this opportunity to be of assistance to my dad. He died in 2003. I also spent time with my FIL who was a second dad to me. I treasure those times. My FIL died 5 months after my father. Now, I visit my MIL daily and we are having a splendid time together. I have my work and will work there until good Lord wills. We had lunch time Bible Studies at work and now I am hoping to re-start prayer meetings.
We also have small group Bible study that meets at our home.
What I am learning is to be sensitive to leading of the Spirit. God can and will use us in ways that we can not even imagine.
So, the most important role of my life is what God wants me to do. And this I preach to myself.
Be well,
Diana

As Dianac mentions every stage in life has God's purpose in it. I've found that staying in good physical and mental health helps up hurtle these obstacles. They go hand in hand. As you grow even older you will see the benefits in this. Just walking or swimming every other day will help pump endorphins, the "feel good" feeling will then affect your mental outlook. Kills two birds with one stone

The somewhat overused saying about counting you blessings is a real help. Just doing it will make a person feel better if they really concentrate on what they are saying. Then pray, praise and give thanks to God.

I taught and preached all my life, and then was overcome by a series of strokes brought on by my diabetes. For three years I lost my speech and partial mobility.

This led to three intense years of finding my purpose in life. Praise God, I preached three years to the day, and rejoiced in God's goodness. I couldn't teach or pastor a church fulltime, but I could witness for Christ, and serve Him in other areas. Visitation to hospitals and nursing homes became important. I could demonstrate hope for others. I could listen to others, and listening in itself is a very valid ministry. Perhaps if we shut our mouths more often, opened our ears and heart, we could then speak quietly of the Lord and what He offers us in life.

Patience. This is a tough one, but patience in itself pays eternal dividends. Anger management and pity go hand in hand. Why me, Lord? I can't imagine how many times I thought this. Then, I would draw on my own lifetime ministry and think about how I advised others....."Because the Lord trust you..." Yes, the Lord has trusted me to handle all this, so on we go and do His bidding. Prayer becomes a constant feature. Not kneeling, closing eyes, and turning head toward heaven. That is posture, not prayer. I mean walking each waking moment in that sense of God's presence. A whisper here and a whisper there, knowing that God listens to every gasp of breath, every thought of mind, every moment of life.

I don't know if I have days, weeks or years to come, and it really doesn't matter. I live for to-day, everyday. Life is just as busy to-day as it was when I was in full ministry through the years.

Cheers,

Jim

Thank you, Jim for this one.
What is the purpose of my life as the years are advancing, is my recent contemplation and prayer. With my upcoming surgery and my husband's upcoming treatments it is indeed so easy to enjoy a good pity party, which I did yesterday. But the main concern for me is that the Lord is glorified through all these health issues.
Diana

I got saved at 41... and smart at 50!

A few things...
At 50 I learned to say "NO". I figured that since I'm officially an adult, I was no longer going to try to be all things to all people.
I learned to limit my involvement with life to the point where some specific things will actually got done! Yes, this meant tossing away some things, contacts, lifestyles that produced no fruit. Guess you could say 50 was my year of pruning. It paid off big time.

I'm 57 now, preaching and teaching His message. I can truly say that my life after 50 is far better than those "stupid" years. God's word it true. Look for Him, find Him. Seek wisdom, find wisdom. Duh!

I applauded you for your longevity and pray His blessing upon your continued Christian growth.

His,
Rev J