Ageing with Gratitude! (A-to-Z Challenge)

I was beyond glad and grateful when I realized Gratitude was the Key to living the Abundant Life.  

It’s shameful to recall how awful, unpleasant, ungrateful I used to be.  Nothing was good enough for me, nothing was enough period.  But I chose to “live and learn”, and I now have better sense to make better choices.  Color me Thankful!

In recent years I caught a most beneficial revelation:  the connection between Gratitude and Generosity–wow!  The more blessings God pours into my life, the greater my desire to eagerly share the overflow–it’s FUN🤗. 

What a wonderful feeling, to experience “wealth” in a way some wouldn’t understand…it’s like “Less is MORE” wrapped with bright ribbons.  All praise and glory goes to the Lord.  His resources are phenomenal, immeasurable, limitless–He takes care of my needs and, amazingly, most of my ‘wants’.

Some things I’m grateful for today:

Perfectly-small, lovely home in the Upper Room🏰

Best friend, Deb–faraway in miles, but not in heart💖

A freezer that seems to have an endless supply of food🍗🍞

Reasonably good health (meeting new doctor soon)👨‍⚕️

Free books & movies accessible online from my local library📚

New blog, and blogging friends😊

Gift of writing, so satisfying…and oodles of writing challenges✍

Online church, with on-demand messages (in case I miss a service)⛪

Bible collection!

Spring’s longer days🌞

Gift of LAUGHTER😂

Prayers of others on my behalf, and privilege of praying for them as well🙏

Goodness, Grace, Mercies & JOY of the Lord💖

©V.Sparrow, 2024

O taste and see that the LORD [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.

Psalm 38:4, AMP

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4 Blessings/Lessons of Ageing (A-to-Z Challenge)

4 Blessings/lessons of ageing, file cabinet drawer C:

“CAUTION”.  When I hit 65 I began falling down.  It was way annoying (embarrassing, in public).  As usual I was slow in making the connection, realizing I’d developed neuropathy in my feet–diminishing sensation.  God is a patient Father, gentle when He speaks.  He didn’t say, “you’re no spring chicken anymore”, or holler, “watch your feet!” 

Since I didn’t expect to get older, pretty much everything that’s happening is a surprise, often a mystery.  Mysteries can make life interesting!

The falling-down-thing means I must “Slow Down”, stop rushing around like everything’s a matter of urgency–it almost never is.

Neuropathy’s 2nd lesson:  when I’d notice blood on the lovely rugs I’d purchased at steal-of-a-deal prices, I’d frown with major irritation–until I noticed my toes were bleeding because I’d bumped them or set something on them (when moving furniture).  I go barefoot at home to maximize ability to “feel” things–I’m still learning: “be more Careful”.  (Caution also applies to kitchen work–knives are intentionally sharp, oven mitts are made for a purpose.)

“CREATIVITY”.  This ageing season has other more fun blessings, though.  I never knew a “craft lady” camped inside me.  I’ve enjoyed making wreaths for myself, and as gifts; also dried flower arrangements–and “candle jars”.

It came to me as I was rinsing out a small pizza sauce jar that it had a nice shape, and warranted saving.  I’m addicted to little pizzas made with English muffins, pizza sauce and cheese–and soon had a goodly number of these jars. 

I began filling them with “little stuff”: aquarium glass pieces, tiny seashells, beads, sequins, etc.  I leave just enough room at the top for a small battery-operated votive candle/tea light).  Then I put the lid on, tie pretty ribbon around it.  Enough people like them, so I keep making ’em.

“COMMUNICATION”.  You’d think it’s a “bad word”, for all that people seem to have great difficulty in managing the necessary skill.  I’m committed to the endeavor of setting a good example, hoping that speaking/writing our thoughts/feelings clearly may move us toward the dream of World Peace.  It’s a lofty goal…I doubt I’ll live to see its fruition, but doing nothing guarantees nothing will result.  

“COMMITMENT”.  Speaking of positive endeavors–I’m committed to sharing (not preaching) about my walk with Christ, God’s goodness, the greatest adventure I’m living as a Christian.  (You never know till you try it!)

There are surely many blessings that begin with “C”.  I’ll stop with 4, due to the A-to-Z Challenge time-crunch… “time-crunch” being a factor in “ageing”.

This post is long…so, blessings on those who read😉

©V.Sparrow, 2024 

“B” Is For Blessings (of Ageing)

My blessings of ageing come from God’s gifts–it’s true that He often saves the BEST for LAST!

No more stress of working at a J-O-B.

Priorities changed as I’ve put on some decades.  I save tons of money previously spent on cosmetics, since realizing exterior beauty doesn’t guarantee good things…and can come at a high, heartbreaking cost.  What’s inside the heart has greater import.

It’s a blessing to decrease concern for what others think of me.  God knows me…loves me still.

My appreciation for ordinary days and small things has flowered with time.  When I was younger I missed much.

I’m a Night Owl…obligations to be up & ready for Life in early a.m. are infrequent these days–BLESSING!

I enjoy holidays now–I celebrate alone, no more tense gatherings.

It may sound like I’ve become self-centered, with age, but I’ve merely carved healthier boundaries.  If we don’t care for our own needs the well can run dry–and how will we serve those God puts in our path?

It’s a blessing to limit my connections to the world beyond my Upper Room.  The Internet (sometimes a mixed-blessing) and blogging have opened many doors closed to me when I was young.  There are real people inside my computer, and maybe I’ll be a positive influence in their lives…and learn from them.

But, I’m a social butterfly when I do grocery-shopping!  Strangers are rarely a threat–nor are they much troubled by a chatty old woman.  Opportunities to bless expand mutually.  These days I have time to stop–and inquire about them, their health and families.

A maturing faith and fast-flowing sense of humor are blessings I never expected years ago, and gleaning a bit of wisdom–BONUS.

The biggest blessing of ageing is the freedom I’ve gained.  Controlled by others so long, I feel I have nearly limitless choices–so I keep God first.

Of course, getting older does bring challenges…I’m working on verbal/written “brevity”.😉

©V.Sparrow, 2024

Days Off

After Palm Sunday and Easter, I’ll be taking future Sundays off–and possibly Saturdays as well. 

No posting or commenting/visiting…back on Mondays!

And I don’t take days off from praying:

You’ll be on my heart💙

Everyone needs prayer whether

They think so or not.

😇V.Sparrow

The wood with metal flowers peace dove rests on my wall.🕊

Blessed!

Through photos among my posts, I’m inviting you on a tour of my bijou dwelling I’ve named The Upper Room. 

For two decades this 2nd-floor apartment was gratefully furnished with mismatched used donations–serviceable, yet lacking heart. 

But since being introduced to Hobby Lobby (http://www.hobbylobby.com/), it’s become a pleasing reflection of everything important to me–the heart beats fervently. 

Hobby Lobby was a delightful but mixed blessing.  In over twenty years I’d not shopped anywhere but Amazon and Safeway, so it was akin to entering the Promised Land.  The store’s ambiance is wonderful, with soothing music–not that this relieved my fever to shop!  I went a little crazy.  

Of all I acquired there’s been nary a disappointment, nor “buyer’s remorse”…which should have kicked in as I carelessly racked up debt.  Hobby Lobby’s prices are reasonable, the sales irresistible.  (My financial discipline is a work in progress…)

The Lord has blessed me abundantly in more ways than shopping for decor.  His provision wow’s me each time I buy groceries–I always have plenty, and enough to share.

Mostly, I’m thankful for His bountiful grace–how patient He is; the ways He teaches me about Himself and His Word; His voice as He speaks, guides me each day…and for His limitless love, ever faithful, enduring.

He has saved the best for last, in my life.  I have strength to continue the journey, contentment and joy I never expected to experience.

I don’t think I have a special anointing, a lofty “calling”–I want to reflect Him well, and give from what He pours into my heart.

I pray He blesses all who happen to visit me here.💙 V.Sparrow