50 Lessons at (Almost) 50 - Still Learning

“50 lessons at almost 50” continues with:

Lessons that I am yet to learn

21. Patience

Almost 50 years, you would think patience would be second nature to me by

now. Even though I know the delay is not denial but in fact development.

Apparently, God is still using the “waiting room” to work on me.

22. Perimenopause

At almost 50, perimenopause is yet to make its grand entrance. Frankly, I

have no intentions of sending it an invitation. I have heard the stories, read

the warnings and watched others navigate the plot twists. So, for now, I am

still learning how to prepare for something I haven't experienced yet!

23. How to sleep in

You would think that at 50 years, I would have mastered the art of staying in

bed.

Nope! My eyes now open no later than 5:47am each day. Perhaps I am

learning that rest is less about hours in bed and more about learning to slow

down.

24. Memorizing scripture references

I can remember lyrics to songs I haven't heard in 30 years but ask me where

a particular Bible verse is and suddenly my memory needs divine

intervention.

I am learning that knowing Scripture isn't only about remembering the chapter

and verse. It’s about knowing the Word well enough to let it shape the way I

live.

25. How to take a compliment without deflecting it

Someone says, “You look beautiful,” and my immediate response is, “Oh, this

old thing?” Why is receiving kindness sometimes harder than giving it?

I am learning to simply say, “Thank you,” and allow someone else’s

encouragement to be received as a gift.

26. Keeping plants alive

At 50, I have learned many things, but apparently not how much water a plant

actually needs. Too much, too little, too much sunlight… somehow, I can turn

a houseplant into a memorial. (Please do not gift me anymore cacti!)

I am learning that nurturing requires consistency, attention and a little grace

when things don't go according to plan.

27. Trusting God with the things while I wait on Him to move

Waiting on God sounds beautiful until you are actually waiting. I am learning

that faith isn't only trusting God when the answer arrives. It is trusting Him

when there is no answer yet.

Sometimes the miracle is what He is doing in me while I wait for what He will

do around me.

28. Grace for myself

I have become very good at extending grace to everyone else, while holding

myself to an entirely different standard. At 50, I am learning that mistakes

don't disqualify me and unfinished growth doesn't make me a failure.

Grace isn't something I only give away; it is something I’m learning to receive.

29. Understanding that some people still take everything personally

I am learning that I can communicate with kindness, choose my words

carefully and still be misunderstood. Not every reaction belongs to me, and

not every offense needs to become my responsibility. Sometimes peace

comes from accepting that people will interpret things through their own lens.

That is on them.

30. Learning to enjoy the present instead of constantly preparing for the

next thing

I have spent so much time preparing for “what's next” that I sometimes forget

to enjoy “what's now.” There is always another goal, another plan, another

thing to organise. I am learning that life is not a rehearsal for the future. It is

happening right here.

31. Letting go of the need to be understood by everyone

Being misunderstood can be uncomfortable, especially when you know your

heart and intentions. But I’m learning that I don't need everyone to understand

me in order to be at peace with who I am. God knows the truth about us, and

that has to be enough.

32. Knowing whether it is GOD or just me

This one requires honesty. Sometimes what I call “God's timing” is actually my

preferred timing with a Christian label attached.

I am learning to slow down, listen, test and surrender.

Because faith isn't getting God to agree with my plans, it’s becoming willing to

follow only His.

33. Making a bed the hotel way

I have stayed in enough hotels to know that hotel beds somehow look

effortlessly perfect. At home, my duvet and I appear to be negotiating terms

and conditions.

I am still convinced there is a secret technique they don't teach us at 50.

34. Making johnny cakes (Caribbean recipe)

I know they are supposed to be simple and FLUFFY. Flour, coconut milk, salt,

baking powder, and somehow mine always become frisbees or shot-put

discs.

I am still learning that “a little bit of this” is not necessarily a measurement.

One day, I will make Johnny Cakes that taste exactly like the ones I

remember. In Jesus Name!

35. Sharing a common space with others for long periods of time

At 50, I have discovered that I love people. And I also love people having their

own space. Apparently, sharing a room and/or space for an extended period

requires patience, compromise and the spiritual gift of selective hearing.

Whether it be at work, home or in general.

I am learning that loving people well sometimes means giving them space…

and occasionally taking some for myself.