Monday March 21 2016  GETTING READY

Does it seem that you are always getting ready for something?  Sometimes it seems that way to me.  I will admit that I am not the most organized person, and that character flaw at times, comes back to haunt.  And another thing I am figuring out, is that as age encroaches, my brain just doesn’t have the instant recall it used to.  That’s when I know it is time for INTENTIONAL THINKING.  As I prepare for our trip I consciously and purposely do each necessary step, making a mental note to remember what I am doing. Otherwise I find it necessary to go back and recheck what I have already done. 

The aging process is not without its challenges.  And when you figure that out, it makes it easier to prepare and plan according to the challenges which greet you.  One of the sad things that most do not realize about aging, is the fact that the older person does not want to admit to the challenges, for fear of seeming “less than” in the eyes of others.  In essence, we of advanced years, NEED TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET!  It is time to take a closer look at ourselves, rediscover how to do certain tasks, and perhaps even admit that some things are no longer important enough to keep doing. 

I love to do what I call CREATIVE THINKING.  My purposeful creative thinking began 37 years ago after I gave birth to our premature son who required extensive round the clock care for weeks after his birth.  I had to set the alarm every two hours to wake myself up so I could feed him.  I especially enjoyed the night hours because our three year old daughter was asleep and was not vying for attention during the nursing time.  I remember sitting in the rocking chair with a dim light on, looking out into the night, savoring the joy that my son had survived a rocky start and I had the opportunity to be with him.  My days were always so full and busy.  We had so much going on in our lives at that time.  I learned to use those night feedings for what I called creative thinking.  I would plan my course of action for the next day and came up with wonderful ideas of how to manage my days and weeks.  My thoughts were peaceful and calm and much was accomplished during the wee hours of morning feedings.

I again have opportunity for creative thinking.  Each day at the gym I lay on a water massage bed for approximately 25 to 30 minutes.  The bed is noisy so I do not listen to a book or sermon during that time.  My mind is still and thoughtful and relaxed.  I soon found that it was a perfect time to think creatively.  During that time of “quiet” it seems that resourceful and inventive ideas flood my thoughts.  Perhaps it is because I am intentionally preparing myself to receive those ideas, and then expound and develop them to fruition.   As I think about what must be done, visual images of ways to be more efficient flood my mind.  It is like a puzzle being pieced together on a screen though my eyes are closed, and when I come home and look at the reality of the situation, it all comes together just as I had visualized it. 

It is becoming more and more awkward to do certain tasks with my hands and during these quiet moments of contemplation on the massage table I have experienced many inventive ideas of how to compensate for the movements my hands no longer make.  I don’t grieve or complain, I just allow my mind to be open to what God wants to show me and then follow through. 

But back to the main topic.  Realize that aging comes with its own challenges.  Figure out ways to compensate for those challenges rather than complain about them.  Rather than gripe or become irritated with yourself (for something that you cannot help), turn your situation into a THANK YOU TO GOD FOR WHAT YOU CAN DO!  Purposely and intentionally THINK (out loud if necessary) to allow your brain time to catalog and remember what you are doing, where you are putting something, or what must be accomplished next.  Do not be afraid to accept help.  That is something that I had difficulty coming to grips with.  It is now  easier for me to accept my husband’s help than it used to be.  However, he always asks me if I want him to help me, and he waits for my answer.  There is nothing worse for me than having someone else jump in and do what I am working so hard to accomplish on my own.  I challenge myself to do as much I can do on my own.  The longer I can accomplish simple tasks with my lack of fine motor skills, the longer I maintain my independence of being able to accomplish it.  Yes, age has its challenges, but there are also victories.  And one of those victories is to just keep on going, accomplishing what you can, and knowing when to ask for help.

And as for “getting ready”, regardless what you are getting ready for, do it purposely, using INTENTIONAL THINKING as your friend.  You will be surprised how much you remember when you are not flustered and hurried.  Old age may come with its own challenges, but it also comes with its own pleasures.  It is the pleasures I choose to focus on.

WHATEVER THE CHALLENGE

By Kathleen Martens

March 21, 2016

The clock is ticking

Years do not relent.

And your time of life

Now mostly spent.

Challenges come

And challenges go.

And in old age

It seems they grow.

Accept with grace

What time takes away.

Learn new ways

Of pleasurable days.

Allow contentment

To arise from within.

Do not resist,

And you’ll always win.

Whatever the challenge,

Whatever the chore,

God supplies strength

When you need more.

Remember to say thanks

For what you CAN DO.

Don’t grieve your loss,

God will see you through.

It’s not what happens

That really counts.

But how you take it

Is how it amounts.

Be your best friend

That you’ll ever find.

Be compassionate to self

As well as kind.

Thank You Lord for all the blessings you bring into my life each day.

Thank You for wonderful memories of holding my newborn son in my arms.

Thank You for hot water.  Actually, I thank You for all the water you provide in my life.

Thank you Lord for today’s sunshine.

 Below, find part 4 of:

7 Daily Steps to Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

Part 4:  Put God First in Your Life

It’s easiest to put ourselves first. When something good happens, we want to congratulate ourselves with a reward. When something bad happens, we want to console ourselves or find someone to blame. In other words, we often have a “me-centric” starting place.

And when it comes to money, the struggle is even harder. But Solomon, who had quite a bit of wealth himself, knew that his money didn’t belong to him:

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9–10)

If we can trust God with the first of our wealth, we’re truly showing how much we depend on Him. Handing over the first part of our paycheck takes a huge amount of faith, after all. But doing so means being God-centric.

To get there, though, make sure you…

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU THIS DAY.