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Remembering the Past with Stones of Remembrance

October 10, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 2 Comments

Life can be tricky as we try to determine the balance between our memories of the past, our present state, and our hope for the future. Each part is an important component of our life. For many years, I tried to forget or even deny the past because of many painful memories associated with those times in my life, but then I realized that every bit of my past, whether it brings joy or pain, contributed to who I am today. Even in the very hardest moments of my life, I can look back and see where God was guiding me, comforting me, and holding me up when I could not stand on my own.

When I look back and see the evidence of God’s faithfulness, I receive courage to confront each day and to face the future. God hasn’t ever once turned His back in me in almost 50 years of living, and I can be confident that he will accompany through every moment until I get to see Him face to face at the end of my life on earth.

This post is part of a 31 Day Blogging Challenge entitled Embracing Fifty. Please click here to find all the posts in this series. You can find the work of more bloggers participating in this series here. You’ll be glad you did!

Physical Limitations

October 9, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 10 Comments

I just can’t do as much as I once did. If I try to push myself too hard, I become dangerously tired and need to recuperate for days. I realize that cannot get through the day without relying on God. My own power will not be enough.

This might seem horrible to an outsider, but I choose to embrace it. It keeps me in relationship with my faithful God, allows me to slow down and savor life, and reminds me that at the end of my life I’ll be trading in this weak and limited “earth suit” for a new and perfect body that will last through eternity.

Mentoring Others

October 8, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 0 Comments

I have had the privilege of many mentors in my life. My parents were my first mentors, followed by my teachers, spiritual leaders, and friends who are a few steps ahead of me on the journey of womanhood. I would not be who I am without the time, energy, prayers, and help invested in me by each of these people.

The best return I can give others from their investment in me is to turn around and invest in others. I don’t have to know everything to be a mentor. In fact, it’s a relief to others to see that life is never without its struggles. God has had me go through a variety of experiences so I could mentor others on similar journeys. At this stage in my life, I am mentoring a group of moms at a mommy group at church, teaching preschoolers the joys of following Jesus, tutoring four third graders in reading at the local elementary school, encouraging others who have similar health conditions to my own, discipling a group of 2nd through 5th grade girls at church, and being an example to my own two children.

Mentoring others has brought me great joy, especially as I see those I taught go on to mentor others. Who are you being called to mentor today?

Wrinkles

October 7, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 2 Comments

I love to laugh. I love to be in the sunshine. I.m not a plastic surgery, Botox, or serum kind of gal, so the result as I approach fifty are some fine lines around the corners of my eyes and around my smile area that previously did not exist. I know I could research the best way to eradicate these from my face so I would appear years younger, but I’m proud of my wrinkles. I’ve earned every one of them through years of smiling and experience. It is a sign that I have enjoyed life and lived on the edge. My wrinkles seem to multiply as my body weight decreases. It shows a life well-lived. I don’t know how I’ll feel about them when I am 90, but for now I will enjoy my wrinkles!

My Adult Children

October 6, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 0 Comments

My youngest child turns 24 years old today. I don’t feel mature enough to be 24, let alone to have a child who is 24. Her brother is nearing his 26th birthday.

From the moment I knew that I was expecting these children, they have occupied much of my heart, my thoughts, my energy, and my fondest memories. I wanted to give them my very best to ensure that they experienced a great childhood. The first time I stared into their eyes, I knew that we were meant to be connected for the rest of our lives. Their transition from infancy through adolescence into adulthood was not without its bumps and detours, but the more time I spend with them as adults, the more I genuinely like and admire them. I would choose them to be my friends even if I wasn’t their mom.

Their maturity has required me to back off from my previous posture of hovering over them. I now need to nag and offer advice less and to encourage and pray even more. I don’t want to suffocate them in my presence. Instead, I am determined to make the limited time we share something we can all anticipate with joy. Being David and Abigail’s mother has filled my life with purpose and gratitude.

Aging Gracefully with my Husband

October 5, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 2 Comments

My beloved husband and I met at the end of our teens and now have known each other for over 30 years. In that time, we have changed quite a bit from immature teenagers to parents-in-law turning 50. When we were first getting to know each other in the years of big hair and endless energy, I don’t think we ever considered that the time would come when our knees would crack, our backs would ache, our hairlines would recede, our eyesight would fade, and our strength would diminish, but each of those changes has occurred in the Clark house.

Yet when I look across the room at that distinguished man who became my husband, I embrace the changes. We can lament and laugh together as gravity and age reshape our bodies. Instead of staring at each other with rose-colored glasses, I have to grab my purple frames for distance and hubby grabs his readers. We can always tell when the other one is getting out of bed because of the groans and cracks. We understand one another’s exhaustion at the end of day.

We may not look like we did in the late 1980s, but we’ve earned every gray hair, wrinkle, muscle ache, and cracking joint. There’s still nobody I’d rather have by my side.

Worship

October 4, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 2 Comments

When I focus on myself, my life doesn’t go as well. I vacillate between two extremes: thinking pridefully of myself and the way I am handling life or getting down on myself and my lack of having “figured life out” yet. The very best way to keep this from happening is to look upward and focus on worshiping the One who made me, the One who knows everything about me and still loves me anyway. I’ve heard that worship is showing somebody’s worth, and nobody is worthy of all that I am than God.

When I focus on His attributes and character, I can’t help but feel joy bubbling up within me. Worship takes many forms at my house. Sometimes it’s quietly listening to music. Sometimes it’s writing down what I love and appreciate about God that day….I could spend the rest of my life writing and still barely scratch the surface of His substance and all that He is to me. Sometimes it’s singing at the top of my lungs in my car. The common component is taking the focus off myself and focusing on lifting God up to the place He rightfully deserves in my life and this world.

Prayer

October 3, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 0 Comments

I waste far too much time every day fretting about what I cannot control. I chew on each difficult circumstance in my mind wondering how I could manipulate it to work for me. A far better use of my energy and time is to hang out with God in extended prayer.

It still amazes me to no end that the God who created the universe longs to hear from me. When I start my day by worshiping him, confessing my struggles, thanking him for all he has given, and casting my cares upon Him, I can’t help but get up with a smile on my face. It’s a relief to know that the One with all the power listens to my prayers and will work all circumstances together for good.

Relationships

October 3, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 0 Comments

I can’t even begin to count the number of physical gifts I’ve received in my lifetime. It started with a baby shower before I was born and continued through 49 birthdays so far, 50 Christmases, my high school and college graduation, my wedding, 26 Mother’s Days, 27 anniversaries, and even some gifts just because. Yet all of those gifts combined do not compare to the relationships in my life.

Interacting with others is the gift that continues to bless me every day of my life, and that’s where I choose to spend my time. Laughter, consolation, sharing, conversing, smiling, exploring, and embracing are great investments. Stuff will break, rot, and get misplaced, but time spent with people can have lasting effects. I still remember those people who took time with me to show me that I had value in their eyes. This had a far greater effect on me than any physical gift would.

As I approach 50, my eyes are open for new opportunities to value other people in my life. Who will you choose to value today?

Introduction to Embracing Fifty

October 2, 2017 / juliesc@pacbell.net / 0 Comments

In two months and seven days, I will celebrate my 50th birthday. I’m shocked that it is coming so soon. I remember when the age of 23 seemed ancient, and now I’ve more than doubled that. As milestone birthdays approach, I reflect back on all that has happened in my life and look forward to the years to come. More than ever before, I want to use my life strategically to love all I can, influence all I can, and leave a legacy that will outlast my lifetime. I can’t wait to ponder and share my heart about the aspects that are nearest and dearest to me. Come visit me for the next 30 days, and together we’ll explore how to live a life that counts!

Empty Nest, Abundant Life