WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE

 

WHAT HAPPENED

I stepped away from teaching seven years ago. I stepped away from teaching children in church three years ago. I stepped away from leading women's ministry two years ago. In each case there were compelling reasons. None were done without a great deal of consideration and agony.

When you step away from something you love, it leaves a void, an emptiness. You can question whether anyone cares. Doubt has colored your self assessment. But this is a wrong way of thinking.

You eventually come to the realization that it doesn't really matter what people think. You did what seemed wise and best according to the circumstances. You sought God's help and leading and then pursued the next best thing.

WHAT'S NEXT

You know, it is not wrong to miss what used to be. You gave a lot of yourself, you sweat the hard stuff, you gave and gave, you cared and helped. Those were all good things, and they mattered. But now life is different. Nothing ever stays the same. You have to work at what is now your new normal. This is right thinking.

We all have a responsibility to fulfill our calling, whatever that may be. Situations that stretch us serve as a function to keep us on track. In our humanness it can seem like too much for us to handle. I look back and see how it has a domino effect; one thing leads to another. Each new hill to climb brings its own perspective, an expanding outlook, a greater understanding. We as people are ever-growing, ever-learning, ever-evolving. That is the way it should be.

Be at peace.

Seniors: On Picking the Best Utensil

What spoon will I choose?

I looked at the spoons in the tray as I hunted for the kind I wanted. Not wanting just any spoon to scoop my granola with, I was looking for the best to my liking (Oneida flatware). I spotted one of them, and set it to the side. I prefer a quality spoon with just the right curve and weight.

Satisfied, I pour my milk in the bowl and proceed to eat my breakfast. I am aware of this every time I am going to eat with a spoon. When I'm stirring sugar in my coffee or in my iced tea, I don't care which spoon to use. I am less picky because the spoon's function is different.

I think back to my Grandpa long ago when I was a youth. Grandpa liked just the right spoon, too. He preferred a thin-edged, well-worn silver spoon (silverware) with a deep scoop to it, over other types of spoons. He liked using a silver spoon when eating soup, oatmeal, pudding, or ice cream. I remember him saying that he didn't like metal spoons as well.

Does that sound silly? I remember thinking it was sort of silly. A spoon is a spoon, right? Nope. Now that I am older and more decided in my preferences, I am more like my grandfather and more particular in what it takes to satisfy me. I prefer the best tool rather than the adequate or better tool. I am less content with status quo or just okay. I like what I like and choose what I prefer when life affords it.

What does this say about life? about me? about choices I make? I have grown to appreciate certain things more than others. Most of us seniors are that way. We have grown with life. We have become more aware of what works and what doesn't work for us. We gravitate to what serves our purposes and in the best possible way. Our likes have become preferences that now are more pronounced than they used to be. You have learned what works best and you consistently apply certain tools to accomplish defined tasks.

You use what works best for you but you also notice what others are using. It pays to pay attention to what is available. A parent demonstrates to their child the way to proceed and accomplish an undertaking. A sloppy or poorly completed endeavor is an indicator of using the wrong materials, rushing through, or not fully focusing. We don't have time for wasting time. Really.

Make good choices as best as you can. Selecting the spoon I want demonstrates a nonverbal desire to be pleased and satisfied. In life, that is a good thing . . . unless someone else wants the same spoon at the same time -- but that's another story. Choose what works the best for you. I've been indecisive for most of my life, I'm done with that way of living.

I want my next twenty to thirty years to count. I don't want to waste time on what won't deliver the goods, this includes relationships and endeavors. I won't settle for less. Don't you settle for less.