Life Trends-by Decades

I have noticed and maybe you have too, that life seems to change every 10 years. Be it a move, a job, or a new outlook, life has it's seasons and I believe it is important to look closely at our life inventory every decade or so.

For example,

Am I stale in my every day pursuits?

Do my relationships feed me or drain me?

Am I productive and/or producing any good character fruit?

Am I Saving or spending too much or too little?

What about my life's next act?

I have plenty of time to check that inventory during the current pandemic even if the bigger picture is obscured somedays by just reaching small goals like getting dressed before noon or painting a nook in the house.

One important lesson I have learned from working with disabled teenagers is this, (and we must ask this question each day), "What are you working for?". For that young person it may be few minutes on the i pad so I will do "my work" of sorting these clothespins by number or these paper clips by color but I will do "my job" and there is a reward at the end.

Simple Skinner behaviorism, but it works and we can all use these simple goals and rewards during these days of isolation.

I am happily in the sixth act of my life cycle, the time and years are ahead when I have the luxury of pursuing more lofty or creative goals. They stand before me like a beautiful but empty canvas waiting for the Master's hand to guide the brush for the next wave of painted glory.

We should be excited with every new stage, retired should be "re-fired" and for the follower of Jesus it is a given. I will always have kingdom work to do, be it writing, praying, facilitating groups or starting new teams of community outreach.

I'm one of the lucky ones, my Father has me held tightly in the palm of His hand and I look forward to His new adventure. Like a child I can play, rest and dream, I can use my imagination in new ways and form creative outcomes. I remember summer days of laying in the backyard just gazing up at clouds and feeling the warm sun and the presence of a heavenly guest in my childhood. But even better, that little child is still within me and the Creator beckons me to once again dream and create!

So let's take inventory and dust out old cobwebs and clean out old closets of the mind and heart, find the treasures hidden in your attic and rejoice with me!

Selah (pause, breath and calmly think of that)