There is something about milestones that makes one ponder,
am I really living?
Obviously if one is inhaling and exhaling, they are living, but this sort of pondering goes beyond the physical. It goes to a sense of fulfillment, of purpose.
As hubby and I approach the phase of life known as the empty nest, we are both starting to anticipate the possibilities that this freedom-phase of life might afford (beyond walking around the house in our knickers).
I am now realizing that having had our children when we were still young has delightful benefits, as we can expect to enjoy many years of health and energy together (acknowledging that health is not ever a guarantee).
We can look towards travel, courses or skills we are interested learning, missions trips, a smaller home, and decisions made at the last moment.
This new phase of life, which seems to be peeking at me more each day, would seem to be less about surviving, and more about thriving.
This is not because our children were like a noose around our necks … not at all! But because we will have passed the busy, busy years of homework, extracurricular activities, and driving enough to make an Uber driver feel bored. The days of enormous food bills, excessive use of hot water (showers), clothing purchases and a house big enough to house a family of five (plus) are coming to an end.
But …
our days are not guaranteed.
Even though we are told in the Bible, many times, that we have about seventy years (or eighty if we are strong), we all know that what is normative is not necessarily a promise for all.
We all know of people whose lives have been cut short, or who have experienced disease or disability that changed the course of their lives.
And, through all the dreaming and planning for a new phase in life …
“I’m asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
I’ll study at his feet.
That’s the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.”
Psalm 27:4-5
For this is really living, and it is available to us all, at any stage in our lives.
itsawonderfilledlife 