“Have you ever found yourself staring at the four walls around you wondering where time has gone? What are you suppose to be doing the rest of your time God has given you here on earth?” What is your new purpose in life?
Who am I and what is my story? As I was sitting in my comfy chair in the middle of a warm sunshiny day, I felt the need to have a word with God. “Ok, Lord! Here I am, once again single and now over sixty. What do you have for me? Because, what I am doing now isn’t helping anybody. Especially me.” It was then that he reassured me that he was still there. Still listening.
He reminded me of all of the answered prays and times he comforted me when life circumstances where extremely difficult to face.
He reminded me of different times I didn’t have enough money to provide for my family. ~ Then out of nowhere, the money needed and right opportunities came flowing in.
He reminded me of the times I was trying to fight and control the battle of family members struggling with drug addiction and homelessness. ~ After letting go and allowing God to work in them, they are now 8 years free from addiction. In faithful prayer, I am now blessed with a beautiful granddaughter and have an active, loving relationship with them.
He reminded me of the time I lost a thriving business to an ugly divorced because I was so determined to hold on to everything I had built and worked so hard to keep. ~ Even in my stubbornness to trust him, he replaced my work with one of the best clients I could ever dream of having.
I couldn’t control the difficult seasons, but he gave me the strength, resources, and a community of like minded believers who could lift me up with love, support, and encouragement.
It was then that I realized that it is not the end of my destination. It is the journey itself that I have taken that has increased my faith, allowing me to be grateful in all circumstances (even though it is tough), and build resilience within me. The journey he has carried me through has allowed me to show grace when I couldn’t find it for myself or others.
As I talk with other single seniors, I recognized that the challenges we face at this stage in life are difference than if we become single in our 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and even 50’s. Change can be overwhelming. As we age, our lifestyles shift. We are entering into retirement, we experience additional loss of loved ones, we lose companionship of a significant other, family move away or live a long distance, we experience more aches and pains, we suddenly feel the need to take an extra power nap or two throughout the day, and our courage to take on new adventures starts to dwindle. Maybe the home we live in is just too much to handle for one person. We have a tendency to isolate for many different reasons. It can be easy to slide into your own comfy chair in the corner of your home or spend endless ours looking at the TV to help fill your days. We fill the atmosphere with background noise just to mask the loneliness.
This may sound familiar to you on occasion when you just find moments of selfdoubt and discouragement about your changing circumstances. You are not alone. Your feelings and fears are valid, but we are here to provide resources to lift you up, encourage you to connect with others and celebrate your successes. We hope to open your minds to new opportunities at any stage of life and increase your faith to face daily struggles that comes your way. From tips on maintaining physical health, exploring new hobbies and interests, fostering social connections, and cultivating a new mindset, we hope to inspire you to thrive in your unique journey.
This stage of your life is an opportunity to finish strong, courageous, and full of love and hope to share with others.
Our story is our testimony to others. God is not finished with us regardless of how our future may look to us at this moment. I don’t know where God will lead me in my new adventure as a blogger of Single After Sixty, but I invite you to learn and grow along side of me. Let’s open our hearts and minds to cherish every opportunity we are given to be the best that God has called us to be.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the many joys and experiences you have given us in our past. Thank you for new opportunities as new doors open in our relationships with others. Guide us each day with the presence of your love and strength to uphold us. Give us wisdom, and good health as we live our lives intentionally. Teach us to have grace and forgiveness when we need it most. As we work towards our goals and aspirations, keep us motivated and self-disciplined to all that you have in store for us. ~ In Jesus Name, Amen
