Laughing Lines, Part II

by | Jun 16, 2014 | (in)courage, Aging, Faith, Personal, The Wonder of a Woman, Uncategorized, Women | 65 comments

Great quote on aging by Eleanor Roosevelt - Image by Robin Dance

 

Below is content originally included in my incourage post today but later deleted to meet word count guidelines. Like always, I wrote without regard to length, simply writing until I was done.  The result was almost 400 words longer than it was supposed to be. Oopsie!  Rather than deleting these two sections altogether I’m including them below (mainly because I want them for me….).

I hope you’ll read Laughing Lines, Part I over at incourage; among other things, it speaks to embracing age with joy.

 

~ Originally between sections iii & iv ~ 

 

Sometimes working in the online world is hard for me.

I write shoulder to shoulder with amazing women (and men) who have accomplished so much.  With heartfelt and sincere joy I celebrate every book deal and opportunity. It is when I begin comparing myself that I open the door for the enemy of my soul to pluck a nerve, pierce my Achilles.  The Accuser taunts me – “Everyone” has passed you by.  They’re 10 or 20 years younger than you and look at what they’ve done! – and I believe it.

It is when I am not trusting God and what He says about me that I fall into the wicked trap of believing I have nothing of value to offer.

It’s a short but slippery descent.

Here’s the thing: God doesn’t play games.  He is good, only good, and He wants what’s best for me always.

God is for me not against me. In my body resides His spirit and He’s calling out glory – His – to shine to a lost and hurting world that desperately needs to know Him!

Lovies, the same applies to all of His daughters…you, included.

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~ Originally included after iv ~

No wonder I have thrilled to the selection for the Spring/Summer session of Bloom book club: Pursue the Intentional Life. It speaks to so many thoughts I’ve had over the past few years. It’s a book every woman should read–in many ways, you’ll be challenged to consider what woman you want to become, now and for all your life.

Which is why I can laugh at the days to come: as long as I’m living, God is at work in and through me to reveal His gospel, His goodness, His glory.

Father, God, thank you for this gift of life and for helping me to see it as such. Lord, I want to know you better and to care most about your concerns. Teach me what it means to steward my time left for your glory and as a blessing to others.  Guard my heart and mind against the assaults of our enemy and forgive me when I hear that noise over your Holy whispers. Thank you for your word and tender mercies. ~ Amen.

65 Comments

  1. Bev (Duncan) Rihtarchik
    Bev (Duncan) Rihtarchik on at

    Robin,
    I love your writing…you are truly a writer that I can relate to! I believe the enemy is always trying to trip us up with the comparison game. Fortunately you are wise enough to realize when he’s at it again. For the sake of all your readers, don’t listen to his lies!

    From now on, I am referring to my (gasp) facial wrinkles as my laughing lines…I love it! Thank you so much for a inspired perspective on growing older gracefully.

    Blessings and ((hugs)),
    Bev

    • Robin
      Robin on at

      Bev,

      Your comments are always great encouragement. I’m grateful for you!

  2. kathy rusch
    kathy rusch on at

    This was a bull’s eye article for me and where i am at…my mother died at 48 so i have felt some same emotions. i truly want to live intentionally and encourage others as well. Cannot wait to read the book.

    • Robin
      Robin on at

      Kathy,

      Jean is overflowing with wisdom and grace; I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!

  3. Carolina
    Carolina on at

    Coming up on my 50th year also, I was so able to relate to this. I just spent a week at camp with a group of senior High School girls.
    This line could have been my theme –
    “Let us be intentional about walking with our younger sisters, and be the Knowing that will bring assurance and relief.”
    Thanks for writing what so many of us are feeling!

    • Robin
      Robin on at

      Carolina,

      What a lovely investment in those girls; you have no idea the impact you’ve had :).

  4. Missy C.
    Missy C. on at

    Appreciate your perspective and can relate. Need to embrace every day of the life God gives us, and seek ways to always show God’s love to those around us.

  5. Maggie
    Maggie on at

    Robin, my laughing lines are a little deeper than yours I will soon turn 65! I too am part of the Pursue the Intentional Life. I am always learning from those younger than I and from those who are older. {not too many of those} I have started a journal that has the number of the days left that the Bible suggests. I know it is just a number but it is making more aware of the frittering I am doing. I do want to live Intentional. Thank you for your post and your insight it will keep me smiling for a long time to come.
    Maggie

    • Robin
      Robin on at

      Maggie,

      Smiling is my favorite :D.

    • Robin
      Robin on at

      Jada,

      I see you’ve figured it out, but for others who might share your question, you simply click the TIME STAMP of your share/post and it will go to the URL for it.

  12. Ashley S.
    Ashley S. on at

    subscribed! I have been enjoying the bloom study and love the giveaway. Always good to find a place for encouragement. 🙂

  13. Mary Ellen
    Mary Ellen on at

    Such encouraging words for those of us who have reached that milestone in life. I so much enjoyed this and look forward to reading your blog!
    Blessings to you as you minister in Jesus’ name!
    I liked and shared this on Facebook.

  15. Linda
    Linda on at

    I am at a milestone in my life and finding your blog post today certainly was a GMC! (God Made Coincidence!) Living prayerfully and intentionally is what I strive to focus on, however many days I have ahead of me!
    Thank you for this great giveaway! God Bless!

  16. Nancy
    Nancy on at

    I posted on Facebook!

  17. Donna Paltjon
    Donna Paltjon on at

    Encouraging read. There are so many emotions to deal with as we grow older, but still FEEL incredibly young. Your post is inspiring!

  20. Tammy
    Tammy on at

    I loved this post. I am near 50 and I could u derstand exactly where you were coing from. You encourage me and you are a blessing. Thank you

  21. CyndaP
    CyndaP on at

    I’m a little older than you, but I can’t tell you how many times recently I’ve wondered what I’m supposed to do now that the children are on their own. I do so want to be intentional in the days that I have left. I’m reading Jean’s book and while it is a wonderful reminder of many things that I already know, I feel I must be missing the point of it. I want to DO something.

    https://twitter.com/cyndap/status/478557846196334592

    https://www.facebook.com/cyndap/posts/10202580965820238

  22. Ta'Sha Scott
    Ta'Sha Scott on at

    Thank you for sharing your heart. Your transparency is palatable, relative, and appreciated. I am a daughter of parents who too are being afforded the maturing experience that you are enjoying. I plan to share this within our ministry and even host a, “If I had known then what I know now” session during our next 1st Sunday event. Thank you for allowing our Lord to use you.

    Best regards,

    Ta’Sha Scott

  23. Arneta
    Arneta on at

    I am 51 and ooh did my heart resonate with your words!! Thank you for reminding me of Gods truth…I think I will make a wall hanging with those words….”Age is the price you pay for l i f e and it’s not a privilege everyone gets to have.” I was a widow at 38 with 4children…I know that life/age is a gift. Thank you again. And for the giveaway too!!

    • Josie Roetemeyer
      Josie Roetemeyer on at

      I now have “laughing lines” and “angel wings” (the lovely part of the arm that tends to sway back and forth when you raise your arm to wave)

      🙂

  28. Pattie
    Pattie on at

    I loved these “subtractions” even more. I am one who struggles with comparison as well, particularly since rejection is hard to take.

    PS: Do not worry about entering me in the giveaway. I live in Alaska so no free shipping available from Dayspring 🙂

  29. Karen
    Karen on at

    Wow…this really spoke to me! My mom passed at 48 as well and I’m now 55. Noticing all kinds of age issues! You have encouraged me to stay on my course for the summer. I was prompted by God to lead a women’s small group, particularly for the younger moms in the church. They so need to be encouraged themselves and for some reason keep coming to me for advice, both spiritually and just everyday stuff. I’ve always looked to others who were older for my encouragement and now I guess I’m at that age where I’m being used in the same way! I need to accept it, embrace it and be grateful for the blessings of LIFE! Love your blog and have subscribed to it. Looking forward to more readings.

  30. Mary Johnson
    Mary Johnson on at

    Just subscribed to your blog via e-mail. Just found your blog today. Loved your post. I just turned 60 and am dealing with that but can see how far I’ve come and still have far to go to be the woman I want to be. Thanks for the giveaway.

  31. Chris
    Chris on at

    Thank you for your words today… they spoke to my heart. I have always wondered why people struggled with their age. It never bothered me. Then, last September, I was downsized from a job a loved… one I had given 11 years of my life to. Now, at 56, I go from interview to interview. It always comes down to me and one other candidate. Then I get the call that says they have decided to “go a different direction”… which is code for “younger”. This struggle has made me hate everything “old” about me… the gray hair I work so hard to style in a “current” way, the age spots, the laugh lines, the “wings” on my upper arms. I want to honor Jesus with my life that remains and stop focusing on what the world thinks of me. Thanks for your help in the process.

  33. Olivia Brant
    Olivia Brant on at

    I am subscribed to receive your posts through email!

  35. Amy Christian
    Amy Christian on at

    Subscribed & shared on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/575968239817388768/

    So glad to see another giveaway for this package. Such awesome materials that can be used and shared in wonderful ways. I am immensely enjoying Pursue the Intentional Life! I’m so grateful to have “stumbled” across (in)courage just in time to take part in Bloom. This book is amazing. I’m planning to get a copy for each my mom and my grandma. I think they will also benefit from it so much.

    “It is when I am not trusting God and what He says about me that I fall into the wicked trap of believing I have nothing of value to offer.” I catch myself falling into that trap much too often.. The reminder “God is for me not against me. In my body resides His spirit and He’s calling out glory – His – to shine to a lost and hurting world that desperately needs to know Him!” was SO, SO needed today. I’ve had a terrible week and have been feeling very discouraged and disheartened. Thank you for your words! And for the Laughing Lines post. I’m 26, but lately find myself starting to freak out about my age– ALREADY. “I haven’t accomplished enough, I don’t have what they have, I’m getting old, I’m running out of time, what am I doing with my life?!” Your perspective and the perspective I’m getting from Jean are helping me a lot to get a grip. <3

  36. Mary Beth
    Mary Beth on at

    I am getting ever closer to 75 yrs. and I have plenty of physical evidence. But my mind is much, much younger and I am brought up short when I can’t do something that’s easy for younger women!

  38. Edwina Cowgill
    Edwina Cowgill on at

    The blog on (in)courage and this post really ministered to me. Thanks for your transparency and willingness to share. Here’s the link to my twitter:
    https://twitter.com/ECowgill/status/478660679264911361

    Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest.

    Blessings,
    Edwina Cowgill

  40. Cheryl
    Cheryl on at

    This really speaks to me.

  41. Sarah Pinault
    Sarah Pinault on at

    Following you. Here and on Bloom. I feel like a stalker!

  42. Lisa Mac
    Lisa Mac on at

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/194851121352824460/

    Wow! Thanks so much for these great posts, both on incourage and here! I have been sharing with the Lord how I would really like to find a good blog by someone nearer my age! Someone who is going through similar life changes that I am. This helped me a lot!
    “Age is the price you pay for life and it’s not a privilege everyone gets to have.” This is something I will write down and go to again, and again!

  45. Jen
    Jen on at

    Just discovered your blog today through en courage. Having just turned
    56 recently I can relate. I love the “laughing”! My life has had many changes the last 2years. My husband and I left our home in the states to go to a new home in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia to serve as missionaries to the urban poor. It has been a very humbling experience! Living an intentional life is also my goal. I plan to download the book (Pursue the Intentional Life) to my kindle. It sounds like a really good read!
    Reading your blog and (in) courage are a great encouragement to me since I don’t have the same community of support as I did in the states. Thank you for sharing!

  46. jen
    jen on at

    yes, I would like to be notified of follow up comments by email. Saw the note below after I sent my comment.

  47. Rebekah
    Rebekah on at

    I am just loving this book and enjoying the bloom book club. Again. And I love that you’re hosting this giveaway. Again. I have hopes because there is so much loveliness to enjoy and share there. Jean’s book is insightful and encouraging. Her wisdom gives me hope. Thank you Robin.
    https://twitter.com/3BeesBlueBonnet/status/479634056812838915

  48. Dianne
    Dianne on at

    Thank you for sharing this, Robin. We live in such a youth-oriented culture and it can have a very distracting and negative affect upon us. I love your perspective and hope it will remind me to have the right attitude shift.

    Even better? I love Jean Fleming and was a big fan of her writing in Discipleship Journal. I picked up her book yesterday, sat down in a comfy chair, and read two chapters before even making it to the register. It already has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to read the rest.

  49. JL
    JL on at

    This piece is very inspiring. I went through the dreaded growing older phase, at 48, nearing 50. I had not experienced this before that although I had a number of friends who had, even as they approached 30. I am grateful for my years, and what God has in store for me in the time to come.

  51. Sheri
    Sheri on at

    I am a new follower and came across your blog post because I was reading about Jean Fleming’s book. I read your first post and then followed up with this one. I love this and believe that it was meant for me. I am 48 and at a point in my life where I too am wondering about growing older with grace and what my purpose is. I am looking forward to reading more blog posts and would love to win. Thanks!!

    Sheri
    I shared on Twitter about the blog post and giveaway.

    https://twitter.com/nwgeorgiagirl/status/479798716325318656

  52. Sheri
    Sheri on at

    I posted on FB too…Sheri Whitaker Pruitt

  53. Nancy M
    Nancy M on at

    I have several of Jean’s books. I appreciate your words and know that I too need to be more intentional. Thanks for the chance to win!

    • Nancy M
      Nancy M on at

      I signed up for your newsletter and posted on FB.

  54. Rebekah
    Rebekah on at

    Reading over this and Part 1 again, I realize that I’m a little jealous about the acceptance stage you’re at – where you’re “laughing at the days to come.” I think I’ve been deliberately forgetting which birthday I’m celebrating and not thinking about it precisely because it feels like “getting older” is finally happening and I’m not sure I like it. There are too many changes I don’t like and too many things that frustrate me more – and not realizing that you don’t fit a demographic anymore! Yes! And yet … there is so much more wisdom to come. So much I wouldn’t trade, having come this far. Thank you again for this perspective. I’m working on my laughing.

  56. Kim
    Kim on at

    You wrote my heart. Girls left for college, Kentucky and California, parents rebelled at a Christian school where I served on he board, one pastor resigned over sexual sin and one was left go and I was almost 50 facing the changes in my body. That was 6 years ago. Those situations have resolved but now I’m facing leaving the only town I’ve ever “known’ to move to Nashville for my husband’s job. I’m standing on the Rock, the only unchangable in my life,

  57. Betsy W
    Betsy W on at

    thank you…as a 50 year old mom with not college kids but 10 & 8 year olds I am in the in-between; not really fitting in. But God is faithful; reminding me to slow down and enjoy Him and where He has me.

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