Living, dying and a life well lived

Living to die. Dying to live. Living to die to live.

Even my nearly eight year’s young granddaughter, Charlotte, will be dying, one day. We ALL are. Death is a certainty, but somehow it’s not supposed to happen to ME. I guess that’s because you and I were made for eternity. I feel it deep within my soul. Deep. Deep. Do you, too? Somehow, my grandparents and my parents and several friends and my way too young to die son-in-law were supposed to be around forever!  

My grandmother Emma was old. My Ouma Chrissie was old. Claude’s grandmother Mary Elizabeth was Old Old. My parents became old. I turned the big Six O last year – official retirement age. Except, I won’t be retiring. I’ll be refiring. Old? No ways. Not yet. Not ever. Young at heart. Forever. Maybe I’m what is called a VERY late bloomer for I sense that my sweetest and finest nectar, my richest crop, my best harvest – my season of flourish, still lies ahead.  

You see, as a child of God, I’m grafted into the Vine. My God is the Vine Dresser, my Jesus the Vine, and as a ‘branch grafted into the vine’, His life bringing sap flows within me. I’ve been told it’s the oldest vines that yield the best tasting grapes. Jesus said that if His word abides in me, and I abide in Him, all that I ask in His name will be granted. (John 15: 3-5) I pray that just as Jesus changed bland water into fine wine at the wedding feast, He will change me into His finest and best blend Jann wine yet. After all, we are talking about the God, who hung the planets in their places and spoke order into the world. God, who led His people in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God, who rained manna from heaven and brought forth water from dry rock. Nothing is impossible for Him. He loves it when we have the faith to ask Him for BIG things. Big. Big.

May it be said of me that I lived, and that I didn’t merely exist! May it be said of me that I loved, and that I didn’t settle for lukewarm. May it be said of that I trusted greatly, and didn’t hide and play it small. But more than that, may it be said of me that my heart beats with God’s heart, my steps are synchronised with His, and my lips proclaim His goodness and grace to a world desperately needing good news and hope. And that I do that which He asks me to do – nothing more and nothing less. In step. In flow.

Dear God

Where my steps seem haltingly hesitant, please help me forget myself and my own ideas and silly rigidity and shyness and rest and relax into You. It’s not about me. It’s all about You.

As I step out as a Grace ambassador, and a coach in matters relationships and family, I thank you for your equipping, empowering, and favour upon me. I thank you for the lives that will be impacted. Grace. Grace.

Thank you that I will produce good fruit without self-effort when I’m well watered by Your grace and exposed to the full sunshine of Your love. To be so blessed and adored!

Amen.

What are your thoughts about ageing?

What are your thoughts about dying?

What are or will you be doing to live purposefully as you get older?