Rejoicings in Hope
~On Turning 60

Posted by Susan Shipe on October 25th, 2010 in Blog | 10 Comments

“So, what do YOU want to be when you grow up?” I asked him again, over instant messaging, on a very stressful and busy work day. “A fireman,” was my 40-something co-worker’s reply. I laughed because he was reverting to his juvenile dream rather than facing the challenges of his current role as Director of Branding for the company we both work for! This is a question I enjoy asking my family members and friends on occasion – the answers are usually different each time I ask, depending on the day’s circumstances and their current position in life.

You see, I am turning sixty on the fourteenth of this month. I’ve always loved my birthday and, growing up, felt privileged to share it with the thirty-fourth president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and my fourth grade teacher, Elsie Mayfield! Birthdays are fun and an excellent time to reflect on what you’ve done, what you are doing, and what you want to do.

I have had a good life – I am blessed and I know it. You’ve heard of generational curses? I have generational blessings from Godly grandparents. Of my accomplishments I consider the following my top ten: being a loving wife, raising three responsible (now) adult children, honoring my parents, being a faithful sister, a good mother-in-law, a Godly grandma, a prayerful member of our church, a true friend, a loyal employee, and a charitable neighbor.

In the Gospel of John, the seventeenth chapter and the ninth verse, Jesus is praying one of His final prayers before He is crucified. The entire prayer is Christ’s requests to His Father “for those who were given Him.” My greatest accomplishments are those who were given to me!

The next question I ask myself as I reflect, what have I done with the talents and gifts God blessed me with. I do the inventory and realize I have been more faithful than not – maybe a score of 95%!

What do I want to be or do when I grow up? If God allows I (probably) have twenty-five more years…what will I do with them? Here are some of the practical things I plan to do (don’t hesitate to hold me accountable) :

• Be the best mom & mom-in-law, grandma, sister, daughter and friend possible
• Enjoy my life with Sharpshooter (my husband)
• Put some money where my mouth is! A professional designer is recreating my blog site. Stay tuned for the re-launch!
• Eat healthy & exercise more diligently
• Get one (big) debt paid down

Did you think I was going to omit my spiritual aspirations? I wouldn’t dream of it! I believe I will allow my life Scripture to speak for me:

That I may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 (NKJV)

That just about sums it up, don’t you agree?