The numbers are piling up. Today I arrived at 68, and the label “middle sixties” has evaporated (not to mention “middle age”). I’m officially pushing 70. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I know plenty of septuagenarians who are still in the thick of life, and every month I read fresh stories of 70+ successes (when my AARP magazine arrives).
All in all, 68 doesn’t bother me. I don’t think 70 will either, because our length of days isn’t up to us.
God makes that call, and our part is to live each day to his prescribed fullest, no matter what the year. None of us understand why some people live to 100 and others die in infancy.
For example, my dad had two brothers, surprise-twins born in 1910. The first was named William, and in looking for a second boy-name, my grandparents glanced at that morning’s newspaper. King Edward of England was in the headlines, so baby #2 became Edward.
William lived only 20 months, dying of pneumonia. Edward lived 94 years. This seems out of kilter, but God doesn’t usually disclose the reasons for his calendar decisions. That’s probably because we wouldn’t understand them (or agree with them) anyway.
All of us wonder how long we’ll live and which birthday cake will be our last. If I reach my 90’s as both of my parents did, I’ll be hanging around for 25 more years, an astounding thought that’s not necessarily all good. As Mom said, “Life after 90 is full of troubles.” She meant physically, but included in that are emotional and relational troubles, too.
The Bible says the same thing as Mom did, but a little differently, insisting that troubles begin in earnest after 70, not 90. We can say, “Oh that isn’t true these days. Fifty is the new 30, and 70 is the new 50!”
Maybe.
The foundational truth about growing old, however, is that we’re to do it gracefully and in God’s way. Scripture assures us that if we’re still alive, it’s because he wants us to be, and if he wants us to be (no matter our age), it’s because he’s got valuable things for us yet to do. Thinking like this changes age-related stereotypes, giving us purpose and direction for each day. That even goes for life in a hospital bed or a wheelchair.
God never sidelines anybody. Each one is valuable to him whether that person lives to 100 or dies in the womb before a birth date can get on the calendar. And those troubles that come after 70? Or 90? If we ask God how he wants us to travel through them, circumstances will defy logic and produce good things.
So…. No matter how many candles are on the cake, it can always be a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
“You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set.” (Psalm 119:4-5 The Message)
Happy Birthday, Margaret. Some people make any age look good….I think you are one of them!
Happy Birthday !!
Happy Birthday, and thank you for this blog. It is your present to us and much appreciated. You are appreciated. May you have many more Happy Birthdays.
Happy Birthday, Margaret! It is great to read your thoughts honoring the Lord and His wisdom and sovereignty.
Happy Birthday, Margaret. My twin brother and I were able to celebrate our 70th birthday together July 28. He and I are both so blessed to be living with the Lord.
I really like all the visuals you post, on your blog. Keep enjoying each day, and keep the celebration going on and on……………….forever ~
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND GOD BLESS YOU BEYOND YOUR WILDEST IMAGINATIONS!! LIVE EACH DAY ENJOYING EACH MOMENT….THAT’S ALL WE GET IT…ONE BREATH AT A TIME (Praise the Lord). Good post!
Happy Birthday Margaret!!! I feel so blessed to have met you! Your blog site has so blessed my life. I hope you continue for another 25 years!!!!
Happy Birthday Margaret, I hope the Lord filled your day with sweet surprises! xo
What an encouraging word for all of us at any age, Margaret. I wish you a very blessed birthday!
Hope you enjoyed your special day. I took another trip to the berry patch that day. You had beautiful weather for your birthday. May God grant you many more years of blessings!
Happy Belated Birthday, Margaret!
You are an example of running the race well and receiving every season with grace. As it was written of Job, may He “bless your latter years more than your beginnings.”
Love,
Terry
Happy late birthday! Hope you’ll have a great stay in England! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Marni! It’s I, late as usual. It was such fun seeing you last week! It was just too short a visit.
Happy belated Birthday Margaret! We are so blessed with your creative and inspirational writing. It is hard to believe you are even 68 that does not seem possible. You are a beautiful person both inside and out! It was so great to see you and Birgitta a few weeks ago and Emerald is one such a joy too. How precious she is. God is so good to us. I’m so happy that you are able to visit Hans and Katy and their is it four children now. They must be so glad too. Have a wonderful visit! Love & Blessings, Debbie
Happy Birthday, Margaret! 68 looks good on you! Thanks for the reminder that every day of our life is important and purposed by God, “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”