Yes, unbelievable (to me), but I have reached the milestone of 65 years of life. When I think back to my childhood in an immigrant church, I realize that I am older than most of the “old people” I remember from that time. Those “old people” still had enough energy and sense of adventure to face the challenges of settling into a new life in a new country. They were often still raising some of their children. They were probably in their 50s, so not so old at all! I am older than those “old people”!
I started my life in Ontario, in a loving Christian family. I lived in the country with my parents, older sister and younger twin brothers. I remember the years on “our farm” with great fondness. I was surrounded by an awesome variety of sights, sounds and smells of God’s creation. I became a member of a Bible readers club and did devotions each evening. My life during those years was affected by personal illness and my father’s industrial accident. I was blessed by how my parents handled those situations.
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. ~Proverbs 14:26
My teen years were a blend of parental guidance and making my own decisions. I was 18 years old when I started nursing school and graduated at the age of 20. Shift work was a challenge all of my working years, however, working 12 hour shifts gave me more full days to spend with my family. I enjoyed the work that I did wherever I worked: hospital, Kingston Penitentiary, residential care and community nursing. I was blessed by my career in many ways.
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How can anyone understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24
I got married in 1980 and we settled in eastern Ontario. We were blessed with the birth of a son in 1981 and a daughter in 1983. As a family, we camped and traveled, even driving to Expo in 1986. Life was not easy though and we separated briefly towards the end of 1986. The children and I moved to southwestern Ontario and our family stayed their after the reconciliation of our marriage.
He who swells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
The years that followed were busy years. The children were in school and involved in other activities and we started building our own home. They were years in which I didn’t take very good care of myself. I began to have health problems and my marriage was failing, but through it all I could sense God’s nearness and later could see His Hand had been in situations where I hadn’t recognized Him before.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6
After 17+ years, my marriage ended in divorce. The years that followed were years of adjustment for myself and my children. I followed a 12 step program and got to know myself better. I became the owner of “my” own home for the first time. I watched my children finish school and move away — my nest was truly empty.
When I said, “My foot is slipping. your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 18-19
Once the children moved to Alberta and I was left in Ontario, I sold my house and moved into an apartment. I began to focus on myself — I walked, exercised and was more intentional about what I ate and had more time for Bible study. I also spent more time with friends and traveled. The nurses I worked with said I was having too much fun!!
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 1:6
After a time I was missing my family and moved to Calgary to join my children. There were fun times spent with my grown children. However, I had told them they didn’t have to stay in Calgary because I moved there and they didn’t. After two years we all moved elsewhere. After much thought, I moved further west to British Columbia. In time, my children moved here too, and now I have a daughter-in-law as well.
In many ways, life in BC has been “ever-changing” – moving to different apartments, switching churches, switching job, health concerns and retiring. A great blessing for me now, is being part of Citizens Church, a church plant started close to where I live. I enjoy being part of an awesome church family. As I move forward, I have God’s promise that He will help me get better at being the “me” He created me to be. He will lead me forward step by step in His plan for me and those I love.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.~ Psalm 62:5
As I re-read these words, there doesn’t seem to be much joy there. Joy isn’t what happens on the outside. It’s what I experience on the inside: the reality that God is in control and that I can trust Him. The JOY of the Lord is my strength. ~Nehemiah 8:10. These are great words to remember as I live the seconds, hours, days, weeks, months, years that God has planned for me. Let the adventure begin!!
My Tapestry Blog 