Aging Gracefully by God’s Grace
A Guest Post by Cindy Laird
I wish they sold bubble bath that magically gracefully aged you in department stores. If you were to look in my bathroom cabinet you would see a hodgepodge of lotions, face creams and masks. None of which I have found work better than the other if at all. I am really not just talking about my outward appearance. I need a formula for aging gracefully in all areas of my life!
Too many times I find myself distracted by life and my busy schedule. When this happens I find that I don’t focus on the important things. I went to Walmart one time and forgot my contacts and reading glasses. I needed some conditioner for color treated hair. (Today is a day of secrets!!) I squinted, read the labels, grabbed what I needed and got home. Once home, I grabbed my cheaters to read about my new conditioner. To my shock and surprise I had not gotten condition for color treated hair. I had gotten conditioner for Women of Color. By the way, if you have dry hair, you should try this for deep conditioning. It works really well!! I think this lesson works well in our Christian walk too. If we are not focusing on God we can’t see clearly and we may grab or reach for the wrong things.
Matthew 6:33, But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
I am also trying not to be so quick to judge. One of my more painful lessons happened at work when I was speaking to vendors regarding a new product I wanted to introduce to the school district. The first vendor was young and had a Bluetooth ear piece on his ear the entire time. I was distracted and turned off by this. I judged him by this. The next vendor came in and the first thing I did was look at his ear. I noticed what I thought was an indent from where a Bluetooth piece had been prior to his arrival. I praised him for taking it off and I told him about the previous vendor. He told me that was not from a device. That he had been mauled by a dog as a child and those were scars. I was quickly humbled and put in my place for judging. I recalled Matthew 7:1,
Judge not, that you be not judged.
Life brings many changes. I have experienced so many joys and I praise God for each and every one. Those are the easy ones. Life also brings sadness and pain. Those are the times we may question our strength or our new path in life. Where is the comfort? How does one manage? I have learned through the years that I am not alone.
Matthew 28:20, And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
About Cindy:
Cindy graciously agreed to write this post as I sought advice in making forty fabulous. I love Cindy. I've never seen her without a smile on her face. She has an awesome singing voice. Glad she decided to use her voice in another way through this post. I found it encouraging. With God's grace, forty may be fabulous after all.
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