I will be age 80 in September. ( I share Spencer’s birth date) Seasons change. I am now trying to navigate this season when the grandkids no longer have sleepovers at my house, kids travel as empty nesters, and I have limitations in my life. A cliche for sure but true: Jesus never leaves me and He is well able to finish what He has started in me. A quiet time but one of deep satisfaction, knowing He is caring for me every minute of every day. It is challenging for me when I deviate from that because that (He) is my anchor. And that is the bottom line for every season. Blessings on you and yours. My fav blessing, simple but profound: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. 🙏❤️
Love this post Phil. As a person who has a compulsion to be a generalist, this is a very tough concept for me to truly grasp. However as I get older I am starting to see the value of recognizing that some roads that seemed limitless when I was younger actually turn from a paved four lane highway to a single paved road to a tiny gravel trail that may be is pretty rough if I keep going down it.
But perhaps this is also very much tied to Gods calling in our lives, which always ends at a singular conclusion. If in tune with the father, we are drawn towards what is right and what is meant for us and us only in the tapestry of time.
And at least for me, I don’t know the exact ending or finish, but as I approach the middle of my life with some roads ending I see the ones that continue on more clearly, which I do think are Gods way of highlighting what I must continue to do.
Karl, a joy to even see your name! I was at a U of C graduation a few years back when the speaker giving the commencement address called for more generalists. I feel like I have been a generalist in many ways and it has partially served me well. As I get older I feel the need to narrow. A guiding question for me (and I'm stealing this from my wife) has been, "What is mine to do?" I'm trying to learn this by leaning into community. I love how you framed this as seeing "some roads ending" as you "see the ones that continue on more clearly, which I do think are Gods way of highlighting what I must continue to do." This deeply resonates.
“To recognize contingency without melancholy or malaise is one of the hardest disciplines of spiritual timekeeping.” - My daughter wants to have a world record in something - anything really. For her there is not yet any concept of contingency. I'm not sure I fully understand it yet either but have learned it is hard to do without any melancholy or malaise;
I will be age 80 in September. ( I share Spencer’s birth date) Seasons change. I am now trying to navigate this season when the grandkids no longer have sleepovers at my house, kids travel as empty nesters, and I have limitations in my life. A cliche for sure but true: Jesus never leaves me and He is well able to finish what He has started in me. A quiet time but one of deep satisfaction, knowing He is caring for me every minute of every day. It is challenging for me when I deviate from that because that (He) is my anchor. And that is the bottom line for every season. Blessings on you and yours. My fav blessing, simple but profound: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. 🙏❤️
I love this, Janice! You have always struck me as someone deeply anchored (you can just sense this in some people) and I aspire to this.
This is one of my favorite blessings as well. I receive it and send it back your way!
Love this post Phil. As a person who has a compulsion to be a generalist, this is a very tough concept for me to truly grasp. However as I get older I am starting to see the value of recognizing that some roads that seemed limitless when I was younger actually turn from a paved four lane highway to a single paved road to a tiny gravel trail that may be is pretty rough if I keep going down it.
But perhaps this is also very much tied to Gods calling in our lives, which always ends at a singular conclusion. If in tune with the father, we are drawn towards what is right and what is meant for us and us only in the tapestry of time.
And at least for me, I don’t know the exact ending or finish, but as I approach the middle of my life with some roads ending I see the ones that continue on more clearly, which I do think are Gods way of highlighting what I must continue to do.
Karl, a joy to even see your name! I was at a U of C graduation a few years back when the speaker giving the commencement address called for more generalists. I feel like I have been a generalist in many ways and it has partially served me well. As I get older I feel the need to narrow. A guiding question for me (and I'm stealing this from my wife) has been, "What is mine to do?" I'm trying to learn this by leaning into community. I love how you framed this as seeing "some roads ending" as you "see the ones that continue on more clearly, which I do think are Gods way of highlighting what I must continue to do." This deeply resonates.
Much love to you and your family!
“To recognize contingency without melancholy or malaise is one of the hardest disciplines of spiritual timekeeping.” - My daughter wants to have a world record in something - anything really. For her there is not yet any concept of contingency. I'm not sure I fully understand it yet either but have learned it is hard to do without any melancholy or malaise;
It most definitely is!