Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I'm Old / I'm New To This

 31 Days of Inspiration / Day Two

When my youngest child was about 3, I used to look at her and say: 
"You are so cute! If I could bottle your cuteness, I'd be rich!" 
(Some day, she may wish I had figured out the secret.) Ever since the beginning of time, people have looked for a way to preserve themselves. 

Did you know that your skin renews every 30 days?
Yep.
Every 30 days, the world sees a whole new you.
...but the way you look changes over time.

We age.

...and it doesn't go on forever...

On day two of my quest for a month inspiration, I was a part of an interesting discussion about age. The women in the discussion ranged from 21- 62. Some young women said they were old souls; some older women said they were young on the inside. What great perspectives! But the truth is...

the truth is...

We are all aging. And in the process we are all contributing our uniqueness to the people around us. Every day you and I are offered the opportunity to use the stuff of life to grow, to offer our lives to the living.

This is love: the surrender of self for others.

Now about the Pickled People. My very artistic sister made the person pictured above. She crafted her from a stocking, some fluff, two beady eyes, some blush -- and put her into a baby food jar. Yesterday, I opened the jar to clean and dry it out, because some moisture had made its way inside. My older self pondered the note that was folded in there for over 30 years:

What a great promise!
But the truth is...

...the truth is this old gal in a jar has absolutely NOTHING to say.  For all the years she's been in that jar, she has only been cute; she's only stayed cute.

I'm not always sure what to do with this new/old skin; I'm still getting to know this new/old person in the mirror.  But one thing I do know...

I have something to say. I can listen to the people I encounter and I can share my thoughts with them. I can pray about their sorrows and offer solutions to their problems. Why? Because as this skin has been renewing and aging every 30 days, I have been learning about life and living.

So the inspiration I received on day two is simply this:
Emily at 3 ish.

When is it time to realize that life is short, precious and fleeting?  

Now.

When is it time to stop growing, learning, sharing, loving?

Never.
Emily and my prince, now.

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6 comments:

  1. Katie/Maple GroveOctober 3, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    Very Beautiful Becky! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JanetOctober 3, 2012 at 11:19 AM

    A beautiful article. I had a chance to look at some older posts too. You have a beautiful gift and I am glad you are sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 3, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Truly inspiring! Thank you for allowing yourself to acknowledge these truths you write about and encouraging others to embrace themselves and love themselves...be their skin old or new, thick or thin, umarked by experience or aged with time and knowledge. We are all beautiful, if only we choose to see the beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  4. PaulaOctober 4, 2012 at 12:00 PM

    Hi Becky, I'll be following along on your 31 days - perhaps you'd like to follow mine? I'm tackling Love! We signed up near each other on the nester.
    Paula
    http://bit.ly/Rg4pZF

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 4, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    Wonderful words, thank you

    ReplyDelete
  6. Patricia @ 9th and DenverMarch 23, 2015 at 9:28 PM

    Thank you so much Becky... for linking me up with this post. I've never read it... but today, I found it inspiring.
    ...very insightful!

    ReplyDelete

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Precious Readers

My Father's Words

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love never fails

Father's Love Letter

An Intimate Message from God to You:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.... ...Almighty God

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