Hello and welcome to the blog today!
Has it been unseasonably cool where you are? While we’ve had beautiful sunshine this week, it’s been breezy and definitely not our typical warm May temperatures. But I know that the heat and humidity of summer are on the way, so I’m not complaining!
I know those of you reading are of various ages and in many different stages of life. For some, turning 80 years old is a very distant possibility. For others, it’s just around the corner.
Each of us also has responsibilities each day, whether it’s working a job, mothering full-time, being a caregiver, or a host of other things. I was thinking the other day that of all the things we do, the duties we perform, which ones will matter when I get older? Assuming that the Lord allows me a normal lifespan, what will I be glad that I did?
I hope I can be like those who are referenced in Psalm 92:13-14
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;” ~Psalm 92:13-14
No matter what your age today, if God gives us 80 or more years to live on this earth, here are eight things that I think will matter to us.
It will matter…
...that you spent time reading God’s Word and praying.
I hope we all desire to be 80-year-old Christian women who are strong in their faith. That means we need to have a spiritual focus today. Time spent in Bible study and prayer is never wasted. Building our lives around these things produces eternal results.
…that you served God and shared your faith.
There will come a point where we’re not able to do all that we did when we were younger. But what a blessing to be able to look back and thank God for ways in which we were able to serve Him and for souls we saw saved.
It doesn’t have to be what many would consider “big” things. It could be working in the church nursery, taking a meal to a sick friend, or praying with a co-worker. What will matter is that we were able to impact people for eternity.
…that you used your time wisely.
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away…So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” ~Psalm 90:10, 12
I can certainly see where I fall short here. There are certainly times we need to rest and relax. But I know that it’s easy for me to waste time, to let it pass by frivolously. That’s where having a schedule or at least a routine of some sort helps me to better manage my time.
...that you loved your family well.
These are the people you’re often with 24/7. They know all about you. As we get older and are separated by distance or even just our busy lives, we always want them to know that they are loved.
…that you saved money.
Here’s a practical one for you! I’ve heard money teacher Dave Ramsey say that money is just a tool that gives you choices. If you’ve not saved much, your choices are more limited. If you’ve got more financial reserves, you have more choices for your lifestyle. It may mean sacrificing a few things now to have more security later.
…that you went for your dreams.
Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“
This one’s not easy for me as I’m rather risk-averse. But I hope that I’ll follow God’s leading and be willing to step out into new adventures.
…that you cultivated relationships.
What a blessing to have long-lasting friendships! So invite someone over to your house, ask a friend to meet for coffee, text that person from church and let them know you’re praying for them.
…that you made time for doing things you enjoy.
Is it reading a book, playing golf, doing crossword puzzles, hiking, or cross-stitching? Find hobbies you enjoy and make time for them.
Do you know what we can be sure of? That just as God is present and active in our lives today, He’ll be the same when we’re 80, 90, or 100 years old!
“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” ~Isaiah 46:4
Which of these will you work on today? And if you’ve already hit that 80-year milestone, please tell us if these things matter to you!
Related posts:
- A Time and a Season for Every Thing
- How Does a Wise Woman Find Her Identity in Christ?
- 5 Ways to Be Consistent in Bible Reading and Prayer
I remember reading somewhere (I wish I could remember where!) that the only things that will be in Heaven will be the things we do for other people because only people will last forever. That made me pause and gave something to think about.
Like you, I’m risk averse, so it’s hard to try new things. But I enjoy knitting, and next week at our library there will be a knitting group, so I’m going to try it. Maybe it will be great, and maybe it won’t, but it’s worth a try! (I really enjoy having children old enough to leave at home while I do things like this!)
I read a really good book last week: Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins. It’s definitely young adult reading because it deals with some hard things, but it’s so good, so full of hope and healing.
Excited for you that you’re trying the knitting group and I do hope it ends up being great!
And yes, being able to leave your children home alone for a bit does open up some different opportunities 🙂 I remember the first time we felt comfortable enough to leave our girls at home just long enough for my husband and me to take a walk in our neighborhood – it was quite nice!!
Going now to see if that book’s available on one of my library apps…
I’ve always loved thinking about this perspective! I’ve been focusing on living my life this way since my early 20’s – I kept running across articles about “what I wish I would’ve known when I was younger” and thought why not learn & apply this stuff from the beginning of my adult life?
Love that you’ve been living this way already! There’s such value in learning early that we want to live our lives with the right priorities and perspective.