To let God make a new life in you?

This question was a recent challenge from my pastor at the end of a sermon.

He always finishes his sermons with a challenge. So I always leave church with my head buzzing. Which is probably his intent.

But the wording of this challenge has hit hard. The in. Am I ready to let God make a new life in me? I’d much rather have God make a new life for me! Then I could hope that the new life would be nice, and I could sit back and go along for the ride (and now, without Marv, have someone bring me dinner). No effort needed.

But the in is altogether different.

I see it this way. It would help to be receptive to God making a new life in me. That requires a conscious decision to lighten up on what I want and to be open to what God wants. And then, once I’ve opened up to allow God in, then whatever new life God has made in me, well, then I’d have to live with it. And, I suppose, I might thrive.

This challenge came at a time when I was winding up a few book-related activities and soon after a former writing teacher told me, “Lois, I see another book in you yet. I don’t think you are finished.”

No, no, no, I screamed inside. Not another five or more years at my desk when I have precious few years left. Writing two books, taking up about fifteen years of my retirement life, is enough.

So I guess the timing of the pastor’s challenge was on target. Just when I’m fighting writing another book. And wrestling with what to do with the two novels I’ve started. And with my file drawer full of “good starts.” And with another stack of “writings” in a stackable file on my desk.

My answer for now? Maybe cool my jets and and listen for God. That may sound hokey to some of you, but, so far, in the silence I’ve heard loud and clear, once again, that I should listen to my body and pay attention to my age. When I don’t build in down time, the fatigue of having fibromyalgia and/or getting older nails me to my couch.

About getting older. Last week, Garrison Keillor wrote about watching “sinewy young men” move their belongings from MN to NYC. Regarding his lack of ability to help, he says, “…I am old and teeter so they don’t want my help, thanks very much. You’re bringing in a sofa and suddenly you’ve got a cardiac situation on your hands.” Later, he sums up his observation role, “The world gets smaller as you grow old and lose your ambition to conquer and capture and you notice what’s in your immediate vicinity more than you did before.” (The Column: 08.18.23)

Keillor is close to my age. On ambition, I agree with him. I don’t give a hoot about conquering or capturing anything any more. But I’m not ready yet to let my world get smaller. I doubt if I’ll ever lose my curiosity or wanderlust.

More on getting older. Did you know, according to an article on Facebook last week posted under Lost Brisbane (AU), that “99% of people born between 1930 and 1946 (GLOBALLY) are now dead”? The rest of us are called one-percenters.

And, if you read the article from the Washington Post that I mysteriously posted last week on my blog (without a title or comment), you learned that it’s best health-wise if we older people have a positive attitude about aging. For example, that we don’t diminish ourselves further by pointing out our diminishing capabilities as we age.

I love pondering all this stuff. I used to have a fellow ponderer (or obsess-or) in my sister Rose, but she passed away almost two years ago. I still think of her, however, every time I’m pondering. She would be asking me now what I’m concluding from my pondering. And I would tell her:

1) I am grateful to be a one-percenter.

2) I need to work on being positive in spite of my “diminishing.” I could, for example, not call attention to myself every time my knees ache when I get out of a chair.

3) And, for sure, I can work on being ready to let God in when the time comes.

And Rose would remind me: “It’s all about Jesus, Lo. Trust God.” I do hope, however, that whatever experiences lie ahead, they will accommodate my curiosity and wanderlust…

How about you?

Lots to ponder as we face a sweltering week in Sioux Falls.

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And now the necessary promo:

If you haven’t listened to my podcast yet at Sharing the Heart of the Matter and would like to, here’s the link. It’s about a half hour long. Time to get the dishes done or the washing folded or simply sip your coffee and relax.

If you’ve finished reading your purchased or complimentary copy of Marv Taking Charge, I’d appreciate a two-three sentence review on Amazon at this link. The exact location is at the link.