 On my birthday, before I entered the shower, I looked in the mirror, buck naked and said “Well this is what a 51 year old body looks like”. And I smiled.
I smiled as I am healthier and stronger physically, mentally and spiritually than I was 25 years ago. Do I have 6 pack abs? No, but my waist is smaller and stomach flatter. Now, I am not a fitness guru, but currently eat more organic and natural foods than in my past. At the age of 26 I had three main food groups; aspirin, coffee and vodka, always accompanied with a cigarette or two. At 51, I have cut down on all and eliminated tobacco. So proving it is true; we are what we eat. Mentally I feel stronger. Little things don’t bother or upset me as they did in the past; and thank you Lord I am not a crotchety old man (I think I have at least 30 years to go on that one)! In reality, there are some things that really get my blood boiling and have to caution myself, hold my tongue and let go. Things such as charities that are not charitable or people who claim to follow Jesus, but follow their own agenda and leave no room for some of God’s children at the communion table. It is times like this, when I have learned to depend upon those who came before me, such as the wisdom of Shirley Chisholm, "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." We are all children of God and always welcome at God’s table – each and every one of us. Spiritually I feel stronger. Am I doing the work God has put into my being? Probably not up to my full potential, but I do know I am on the right path and learning day by day to live day by day and allow God to lead. Of course, this is also a learning process and I will just blame my slow learning and slow following on my dyslexia and ADHD. I have a feeling, there have been times in my life when God has shown me the way, but like a dog seeing a squirrel, I ran in the opposite direction. Yet, I am where I need to be, in this very moment, at this very time and for that I acknowledge and am grateful. On this day, the start of my 51st year on earth, I proclaim it to be grand. I proclaim to continually grow stronger physically, mentally and spiritually with each passing day. I proclaim and intend to be true to God, true to myself and true to others. And with that said, amen. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb” Psalm 139:13 NIV Another good scripture read is Ecclesiastes 9, the Contemporary English Version with the title of “One day at a Time.” In reference to Shirley Chisholm: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35057641 And thank you Susan Falk for teaching me “I am where I need to be, in this very moment, at this very time”. |