WILL I STILL FEEL LIKE THIS WHEN I’M EIGHTY?
I’ve been reading a journal in which I wrote in 1998. So at that time I would have been 73-74, ten years ago.
January 8th that year I read a selection regarding God’s purpose for our lives. It was called “In His Time” and dealt with sometimes having to wait a long time before you felt you had really achieved, or even entered, his purpose for you on this earth. I wrote:
It seems as if God has used me more in these later years but I don’t know whether that is true just because I have made more time available. Perhaps it is just that I am doing more “works” outside the home. When the boys were little, my call was “mothering” also career teaching. I hope I was anointed in that way. I feel like I lacked much. Actually even now I feel like I am only just beginning in so many ways. Will I still feel like that when I’m eighty?
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In two weeks I’ll be eighty-four. I am here to tell you, Precious Children of God, God has more for you the longer you live. Some of you think your call was teaching, preaching, singing, or something else you devoted your life to. Let me remind you, you devoted your life to God and that was the way in which he used you at that time.
I once had a friend who felt like he had had three special missions in life and that he had fulfilled all of them. There wasn’t much left for him except to die. He did. Maybe he was right; maybe God took him because his purposes for living were fulfilled. But that would not have been me. I would be saying, “What’s next?” 😀
If man’s regulations or expectations, ill health, lack of funds or other such things has derailed you, be ready for a change! God is so wonderfully able to lead you into new ministry for him.
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Sweet aroma 
Those who think they have no purpose because their health has limited them still serve several purposes. First, if they can do nothing else, they can pray–for the Church, for the missionaries, for the country and its leaders, for their families, for their caregivers, for victims of storms… the list is endless. Second, their patience in suffering is an example to their family and to their caregivers. They witness to God’s faithfulness in a way others with health and mobility cannot do. Third, by accepting the help of others, they provide purpose for other people. While we know that “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” sometimes we give by receiving. J.
Great follow-up, Salvageable. You have covered important areas. Thank you. 😀
I echo what Salvageable says.
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as long as we have breath, we have purpose—His purpose
God is not going to leave us in this earthly domain without purpose! Salvageable just gave a good follow up to my post. I intend to salute people in those circumstances. 😀
Even in our youth we may feel as though we serve no purpose—as a stay-at-home parent I have people asking me constantly, “when are you going back to work?” (As if I sit on my hands all day!) Yeesh. It’s tough either way. Commit your work to the Lord and you’ll be fulfilling his purpose.
Yes, I pointed out that in my younger years “mothering” and teaching were my “jobs.” I believe that was God’s purpose in my life then. Don’t let other folks dissuade you from the importance of what you are doing. I took a swipe at a stay-at-home mother one time; she prompt let me know she was the one making cookies for my class, participating in PTA, and volunteering to go field trips, etc. I deserved her reproof! Obviously it stung since I still remember it. 😀
Yes, I agree! And I also believe you can be a good mother or father and work outside the home. It is, I believe, harder in some ways because you are drained from working an additional job all day, but it is possible. I want so much for other mothers and fathers to have a cheering section, because we are fighting a common enemy—Satan!
I certainly hope and think you are right about both being possible, but I’m not sure I did them equally well. There is just a top on one’s energy and motivation. I believe I was a good teacher and both my sons are a delight to me as they raise their families even grand-children now. I’ve always felt guilt because I did not take time to see that homework was done, drill on those Dolch words, dictate those spelling words, flash those flash cards. 😀
I did not want to “teach” that kind of stuff at home as well as school. My younger son got by with going to school for TWO weeks at 10:00. I would leave him ready for school and believed he walked to school when he was supposed to. After two weeks the teacher called and asked why he was coming to school at ten. Finally caught the little rascal. Well he was staying home to watch Captain Kangaroo (or someone like that) before going to school! 😀 😀
So my niece just pointed out to me that 198 was TWENTY years ago! Right – so I was 63 worrying about 80!
Such a timely post, Oneta (and eloquent as always)! I’ve been out of the loop for most of December, but I’m back and ready to engage. Your stories always bless me. Thanks for sharing your gifts and for this great reminder.
Thank you, Michelle. And a very productive and satisfying future to you. I’m coming to see you. Did you post today? I’ll go find out. 😀
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Yea! the Malone Zone is back! Have a great semester, Michelle!
Hey, girlfriend! Yes, I’m back. 😀 I hope you have a great semester, too. We’ve had lots of sick kiddos. How about you?
Hi, Michelle. Glad you are back. My granddaughter has a house full of kiddos with flu and she has to be mom anyway although she has also felt bad. I wasn’t of any help with this Influenza A (I think). I did have flu shot but I don’t think it covered that. The doctor said because of my age I’d better stay away. I think I will see them Friday. That will be a week. 😀
Dear mentor–this is so excellent as Bob and are on the verge of retirement in a few months. Our three children (and, therefore, grandchildren) are strewn across the globe, and the nearest family is a niece 3 hours away, most of the fam two states from here. What does God have for us? We shall see! I want my heart to be positioned to follow whatever. ” I am here to tell you, Precious Children of God, God has more for you the longer you live.” TACK! (That Swedish for thanks, as one child lives in Scandinavia….guess what language I’m now working on!)
What a wonderful example of a new “calling” – a new beginning. I’m sure your interest in and study of the Scandinavian language will work its way into being beneficial. One thing for sure it is a good start toward mentoring your precious little one. Who knows? Maybe you will write books for Scandinavian children. I have no idea; God is the idea man! I’m pretty sure adventure lies before you. 😀
The word of the day: Adventure!
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98 would have been 20yrs ago.
Yea! My niece pointed that out to me. Perfect example of how time flies! 😀
Charla made a good observation. So, Oneta, your 1998 journal was written when you were 64 then.?
Thank you for sharing!
Can you believe it? Yes that’s true; I have the year marked in the front of that journal. I can’t believe I was so amazed at him having a job for me at 63. I see that now as being a youngun. 😀
People around you have to keep up with you!
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May you live long and fulfill all the purposes for which god sent you. You are such old and you still do blogging. Quite happy. You might be very experienced also as does your age…
Thank you, dear. Actually I only started blogging near the end of 2014. I have enjoyed it a lot. My age does give me a lot stories to write about. Lot of living in 83 years! 😀
I still cannot believe you are 83. well I am only 14
I pray you will have a wonderful life, Shreya. God is good and he has great things planned for you. I don’t mean lots of money, success and that sort of thing; I mean peace, joy, friendship with him. Walk in his steps. Blessings on your blog writing and friendliness with other bloggers. 😀
Thanks for such enlightenment. I really feel relaxed whenever I talk to such an old and you are just like my grandma..
Thank you. I’m here when you want to chat. :I blog most days so I’m easy to find. 😀
Thank you and I feel you are really my grandma as whenever I call her she also says talk to me whenever in trouble. thank you!
I think we all have some purpose in life, we may be aware of some and will try our best to fulfill them. But we may hot be aware of some, but our just being where we are and doing what we are doing may help someone.
I hope that I never reach the stage when I feel that I have done all that I wanted to. 😊
We are not really sure what is there for us in the future and I believe we should face life as it comes. Regards, Lakshmi Bhat
Yes, I do believe that also. Sometimes God’s purpose for us is for the sake of someone else. 😀 Thanks.
Age is just a number, Oneta! You´re still young!! My great-grandmother is 102 and still, a very active person 😀
Aww, that’s good. I’d love to be involved with my grandchildren when they become adults. Thanks. 😀
Age is just a number. If you stay active everything is going to be just fine.
Thanks, dear. Mostly I write things referring to my age as an encouragement to others. Many people think they will be “over the hill” at sixty or seventy or eighty. I try to wave a beacon to show life is still great. 😀