Some thoughts on being an older woman

My mind says I don't truly fit in the category of an older woman. I'm referring to the Bible passage in Titus 2 which talks about the older woman's responsibilities of teaching younger women. It seems like it was a couple of years ago I was in college attending classes to prep me for life and ministry. But alas, when I look in the mirror and double check the calendar I have to acknowledge that I actually slipped into this "older woman" category awhile back.

There are days when I feel pretty confident when a younger lady asks me a question - but there are also many, many times I wonder if I am really equipped to answer. But God appointed my days and has prepared me to be in this life stage and used some incredible ladies along the way. Each one gave me a different insight and has helped me shape my beliefs and how I view life.

The first one I think of was my grandmother, who taught me so many life lessons - baking cookies, making apple pies, how to make change (I worked for her in a Christian bookstore), that my feelings for boys would come and go but my relationship with God should always be my first priority, and that reading a book is a wise investment of time.

My mom taught me about sacrificing for those you love. She spent hours driving me (and my brother) to a school where she knew we would receive not only an education but also good biblical instruction, she allotted time for me to practice piano and attended many concerts and recitals, and when I became a mother, she showed up to not only hold those precious babies but to care for me as well.

When I was a young wife and mother and we lived 12+ hours from family, Mary Jayne Bradt stepped into the role of the older woman for me. She taught me so many practical life lessons about marriage and parenting. I think she should get some sort of huge gold star for putting up with the hundreds of questions I threw her way.

After Tim graduated from seminary and we were in our first church as a pastor and wife, Cindy Patten became my mentor and friend. Oh the countless hours we spent sitting in some restaurant in Indianapolis talking over the "how to deal with ministry" topics! She, too, should have a gold star for her efforts.

I love each of these women and thank God for allowing them to have such a wonderful input into my life. And how I pray that as I have opportunity to be in this role, I will be kind and loving and respond with accuracy and truth to the women God brings into my life.

Savor the moment

It is winter in Indiana. Some days we have snow on the ground and it is frigid. Other days it is rather balmy and we can grill outside without bundling up. Plus, you never know if the sun will make an appearance.

For some people this can be a rather depressing time of year, and I can understand that feeling. But in some ways I love it! I love to just hunker down in my home, light some candles, make a cup of something hot and chocolate, grab a blanket and settle in with a good book. When I'm not teaching piano to my students, I love spending time in my craft room being creative. I enjoy making soups and stews with thick, chunky bread for supper. I'm not quite ready to go live like Little House on the Prairie days - but it's a good time of the year to make life a little less complicated.

And I guess, if I'm honest, I'm sensing the increasing speed of seasons passing. I used to cringe every time my grandmother would talk about how fast the days were going and as a teen and then a young adult I just didn't understand that sentiment. But as I'm a wee bit older now, I get what she was saying. It seems like you blink and a day or two have slipped away.

I've already talked about how my goal this year is to simplify life. I'm working on it. I am also trying to savor each productive day ~ completed activity ~ conversation ~ quiet moment ~ bursts of laughter ~ creative expression ~ flash of spontaneity .I think all those things help slow life down a little. I know it makes me grateful for all the gifts God has blessed me with - even in this season of winter.

He never sleeps...even through the storms

There is an old song that goes "He never sleeps, He never slumbers, He watches me both night and day..." That song came to my mind last night as I woke to major thunder and lightening. Oh yes, I know it is the middle of January but here in Indiana we can have wonderful warm weather one day and blizzard conditions the next! Yesterday was an incredibly nice day. In fact, I went to the store after supper and only used a light shawl because it was so warm.

Anyone who has taken science in school knows that when warm air meets cold air you will get a storm. And depending on how violently the two meet determines how fierce it will be. Last night the meeting was pretty intense... especially taking into account it is still winter; not spring. When the hail started pelting our house, I started wondering if we would be hearing the tornado sirens.

In the middle of the flashes and booms, this song came to mind and I immediately relaxed. It was a good reminder that my Father knows all that is going on and is watching out for me. After I peeked out the window to marvel at the layer of hail, I crawled back in bed and was soon back to sleep. So glad He never sleeps... even during a storm.

I love fresh starts and new beginnings. That is typically what we think of when we flip the calendar to the new year, isn't it? All the things we didn't do or succeed at last year become something we can try for again.

Tim and I usually spend the first few days of the new year putting away the Christmas decorations, cleaning, putting up the normal decor, rereading cards, celebrating our youngest daughter's birthday, and spending some time thinking about what we want to accomplish in this new year ahead of us.

I think we got most of those things done but there were some unexpected elements, too. We had a few days with some good friends from out of town which brought tons of conversations and laughter. Kimberly spent a couple of days in bed (or visiting the bathroom) as she had a touch of the flu... and of course, that happened on her birthday.

So I haven't had a lot of time to noodle on my goals for 2012... but I've done some thinking. There are the typical thoughts on finances, eating healthier, being more diligent with exercise, making a cleaning schedule I will actually stick with, etc. Yeah - all the things that every year I think I will do better at.

But the thought that keeps popping up is to simplify life this year - get rid of the extra "stuff", streamline the schedule, don't add to the schedule...

In other words, enjoy the small things that come;
~ quiet mornings when everyone is off to school/work and I can make a cup of cappuccino, put on some quiet music, light a candle, and spend some extended time with God (I love mornings like this!)
~ unexpected conversations with my children (especially as I think of my 2 oldest ones moving this summer)
~ the sense of accomplishment when I clean out a cupboard or drawer (and not refill it!)
~ not worrying if my complicated meal plan will work out - just make a tuna sandwich!
~ a student playing a piece of music with feeling (and correct rhythm)
~ time with friends and loved ones
~ enjoyment from writing down my thoughts
~ curling up with a good book
~ getting a funny little note from Tim in the middle of my day
~ a ray of sunshine that breaks through the clouds on a dreary day

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of making life a bit less hectic... sounds like I have a good plan for 2012!