What do the following have in common?
• Full memory
• Wisdom
• A family tradition
• Fine wine
• A memorable song
• A close friendship
• A loving marriage
• A family
• Even an embellished story… the one that got away. I could go on and on.
They all get sweeter with time… and the longer I live, the more ingrained this truth becomes, let me tell you.
Having said that…why do I sometimes find it hard to trust that life will, in fact, continue to get even sweeter over time?
Maybe it’s because I’ve always been a control freak…a weakness, I’m learning to believe, that he controls nothing more than the monster itself to escape his so-called controlled world, where he’s confined himself to existence. Pretty dire situation… don’t you think?
OK…it’s a bit dramatic, but not too out of character.
On the other hand… just beyond this self-imposed force field, there is this “sweeter with time” reality, peacefully coexisting in an infinite world of abundance, where life’s wonderful present moments run free without limits or limits. borders.
No matter what I do or how hard I try, I know that I can never fully embrace the abundance that God wants to give if, at the same time, I am trying to control what is happening in the present moment. It’s about as futile as trying to get a breath of fresh air… it just can’t happen.
So… mental note.
Over the years, God has given me more than I deserve. I’m beginning to realize that these blessings are by no means finite… but are as abundant and life-giving as the breaths I take.
Therefore, it stands to reason that lasting joy does not come from taking a single breath of life and holding it for as long as possible. No… to experience the fullness of living, we must inhale deeply… and exhale… continually.
Am I suggesting that life transitions are always easy… OF COURSE NOT! He was kicking and screaming when I came into this wonderful world… and he’ll probably do the same when I enter the next. I guess it’s part of that control thing you were talking about… I’m working on it.
But I can honestly say this with authority…most of the new chapters in my life have produced incredible blessings that I didn’t see coming (which, by the way, came only after I calmed down from all the kicking and screaming). And there’s absolutely no reason to think that later chapters will play out any differently.
OK, I’ve calmed down… I’m better now.
Sincerely,
I, (Bill)
