Celebrate the Past, Then Move Forward

Write a New Life Chapter

I'm working on a book for stay-at-home moms. While writing, I've been remembering a lot--mostly the negatives--the part about giving up a career and my inner turmoil of choosing to leave the workforce and the constant questioning I did, as well as the loneliness and loss of self-esteem. 

My writing touched that deep part of me. I was tempted to take what I'd written to my bedroom to journal my feelings and to ask God about them. That would require looking back. It would be like grieving about the lonely and angry parts. 

Sometimes, it is helpful to deal with undercurrents of pain or habits. Sometimes working with a counsellor requires such. 

But then I watched Joyce Meyer's Today's Show as I usually do. In it she reminded me there is little value in looking back, reliving the past, or spending too much time grieving. She talked about the Israelites being given 30 days to mourn for Moses before being required to get up again and move forward. 

During her talk, I began to wonder why I had wanted to look back with complaint about what I didn't like about being a stay-at-home mom. Maybe I liked the emotional feeling I would get. I've heard some people are addicted to feeling low and tearfulness. 

I know very well that we must put the past behind us. We can't change it. We can come to terms with it. If we're smart, we will even celebrate it. Be proud of it. 

Today at the gym, my friend brought her four-year-old grand-daughter. She was sucking a ring pop. It reminded me of when I bought my own kids ring pops. Seeing my friend buckle her grandchild into the car reminded me of the oh so many times I did that with my own children. And, in that moment, I was thankful that I was an at-home mom and got to live out so many moments with my kids I will never get back. 

Today I am focusing on how blessed I was and choosing to not go back and grieve the hard times. I am ready to celebrate the past and move forward yet again. 

New eBook for Christian Women in Midlife Crisis

NEW BOOK AVAILABLE:

I've wanted to get this eBook for Christian women in midlife crisis into your hands as soon as I could. 

Putting it together ended up being a long process.

Nevertheless, it's loaded now on Amazon.  It is in eBook form, but can be viewed on any computer screen as well as a Kindle, IPhone, or Ipad.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JLMVS4U

The book will look at the author's own midlife crisis and journey but is written to guide you through yours.

It covers common dilemmas of midlife, conclusions about how to handle the dilemmas, and suggests steps to implement to help you make sense of your journey and come through the other side.

Troubling Tiredness in Midlife Women

REST

In reality, by age 50 some women are often tired--whether they want to be or not; tired of work, housework, preparing meals, office politics, driving the children around--you name it. 

Could this be a time of REST for you before you move on to your next assignment?

Sometimes, though called to REST, a woman remains troubled. 

• Women are used to activity. 
• Women are used to having a busy schedule and rushing around. 
• Women are used to thinking for others and thinking on their feet. 

Rest may seem counter-intuitive.  Nevertheless, try to give in to the true spirit of REST no matter what else you feel you should be doing. 

Joshua 1:13 ... ‘The LORD your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the LORD your God is giving them."

HOW TO REST EFFECTIVELY

And here is what you do in your time of REST:

"But be very careful to keep the commandment 

and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD 

gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in 

obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold 

fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

This suggests:  keep God's commands, love God, obey God, stay close to him.