Laundry List for Life

Written by Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 90 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11 . Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Updates . . .

Diane is going to be a grandma. They sold their home in SoCal. Hubby needs a well-paying position to open up for him in Spokane.

Joycey just graduated her three boys from high school. She still has her twin girls in 8th grade and, of course, the boys aren't out on their own just yet.

Sue now has both girls married off and is getting reacquainted with the love of her life. Sue is also considering her involvement in jail ministry in SoCal. Beth would really like to have her as a partner.

Jennie is home again following a two-week trip abroad where she was privileged to speak at a women's conference. If you want to enjoy some excellent teaching, you can download the audio here:

http://www.emmanuelbaptist.co.uk/downloads/index.html

Look for: FCT B:Beautiful events, with Jennie Altstadt (April 2008). Don't wait too long to download; they may be taken down soon.

Steffer is nearing the end of a home remodel (!) while looking at having a senior in high school next year, a new junior higher, one in elementary, and possibly one in kindergarten (I'm not certain of little one's age). I think she definitely needs a vacation.

Me? I'm going to the beach and catching up on my own coursework. Feel free to join me.

School's Out (yea!)

And the kids think they're the happier ones. Not on your life. Nope, I am. We've been out since about the middle of April. Now we're looking at the start of 2008-09 in about 11 days. I must say, I'm not ready to jump in just yet. I'd rather sit by the beach, listen to the surf, read my book, let the wind blow through my hair, and veg . . . Now that sounds about right.

CJ has finished his baseball season. He did very well; the team had a successful year. He was able to play every position he wanted to at least once, I think. He already is planning out next year's season. The boy lives for baseball. My kind of guy.

Andrew and I just finished the indoor soccer season. I asked Andrew if he'd mind if I volunteered to coach his team this year -- he was all for it. (I figured, why not? I would be there anyway.) We had an almost perfect season. 0-7-1 and we lost our only game in the post-season tournament. There were 9 junior highers on the team, 8 boys, 1 girl. I had a great time with them. I learned winning is great but letting the kids get in the game and play was more important. I really like to win, mind you. But as a parent, I really like to see my kid play, and I think most parents think like that. So, that's how I managed playing time. We did our best, every player's skills improved but each athlete played an almost equal amount of time. I thought that was the right thing to do and that seemed to coincide with the philosophy of the YMCA league we were in.

So now, our Saturdays are once again ours. Whew.

It's late . . .

If you didn't already know this, Sue is a graphic designer. And this picture? Well, this is Sue.

Sue loves to have fun. Sue is fun. When you're around Sue, you can't help having fun. It just happens. So you see, Sue is a very happy person and Sue made this creation of herself. Perfect.

Courtesy of South Park.

Found in my email...

"I'd like to be the ideal mother, but I'm too busy raising my kids."

...Priceless.

Prayer by C.H. Spurgeon

December 30, 1877:

"Lord, there are so many today who are running away from the truth. Oh, that You would be pleased to speak by Your Spirit that Your Word may be known. Lord, hold us fast to the truth of Your Word, bind us to it. May we not be ashamed of the truth of Your Word but proclaim it boldly without compromise. May we not wish to be thought cultured, nor aim to keep in step with the times. May we be side by side with You, O bleeding Savior; and be content to be rejected, be willing to take up unpopular truth, and to hold fast despised teachings of sacred Scripture to the end. Oh, make us faithful unto death."

The Arm of Grace is Very Long

Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone--as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others--however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present.

The Holy Spirit can change any heart!

The blood of Christ can cleanse away any sin!

We shall see many in heaven, whom we never expected to see there. Grimshaw, the famous pastor of Yorkshire, when he died, left his only son unconverted, careless, thoughtless, and indifferent to true religion. The day came when the young man’s heart was changed, and he walked in the steps of his holy father. And when he lay upon his deathbed, one of his last words was, "What will my old father say--when he sees me in heaven!"

"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save!" Isaiah 59:1

--J.C. Ryle, Many Shall Come