Where Has This Year Gone?

The official “Second Half of the Year Day” was on July 1st. For many, that day marks when they step back and evaluate what they did or didn’t accomplish on their first half. If their expectations waned, they use the second half to get back on track. That wasn’t me. The only thing that made the day stand out, was it was the day I changed my door décor’ to celebrate July 4th. And, even that changed yesterday. I try to “message-out” good news there even as I transmit good news here in my daily blogs.

Here’s what I really think about this second half of the year. Time flies — compared to my youth when the school year took so long before summer, or until Christmas would finally get here, or for reaching the double-digit age of 10, or 13 – a teenager, 16 – to drive. It took so long before our wedding. And then, what seemed the longest wait EVER was the nine long months to pass before the birth of our babies!

You know the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun!” I had a lot of fun as a kid, but time sure didn’t fly for me. We don’t get to hit a reset button, but we DO get to start each new day with the wisdom and knowledge we gained from the past. We’re the pilot on this flight and in many ways, it is like a RESET button. Each experience – good and bad, has equipped us to be better, do better and appreciate time more.

I know for you youngsters, you think it will be a very long time before you get to my ripe, mature age. I was you. When I heard someone turned 50, they were old. I think 50, back then, did look and act older than we do today. I assure you when I turned 50, I was way too young to act old. And that’s the way I feel at this young age. I’ve had to reckon with this gal in the mirror after I wondered who she was for too long. But I don’t dwell on age even though these body parts have definitely needed more care and attention. I dwell on living large with every fiber of my being. I’ve said it before…I’ll say it again: “I’m not giving up until I’m taken up!” And whether that is today, tomorrow, or years from now, I will live on purpose to be a devoted follower of Christ from sun-up until sun-down each day and squeeze everything I can out of this life God gave me.

This is the dawn of a new day, today. I know one thing for sure — we can’t live in the past, and the future isn’t ours to predict. But we can make minutes, hours and days really count for what matters most. I speak a lot about it, but I repeat, treasure THIS day – make memories for yourself and someone else. Take lots of pictures. I do. I treasure them. Live as if there were no tomorrow. Spread sunshine. Give love and laughter and life to those who need an injection of fun, faith, and friendship. The BAD news — time flies, but the GOOD news, we’re the pilot in the hands of the MASTER PILOT! I assure you, if indeed “Time flies when you’re having fun”, then I must be having a blast!”

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”