Wisdom Through the Decades by Anna Marie Sheffield
Today’s guest blogger is Anna Marie Sheffield. Anna Marie is a wife, mother, grandmother, a retired dental hygienist and Co-director/Administrator for Deep River Ministries. She graduated, magna cum laude, from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, with a degree in Biology/Psychology.
Anna Marie is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the International Order of St. Luke the Physician. She is also a member of Daughters of the King, a prayer ministry within the Episcopal Church. She has been a Stephen Minister and a member of the Community of Hope.
Anna Marie loves to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and equip others to do the same. Her openness, honesty and practical wisdom have inspired others to step out in faith to serve the Lord. Together, Anna Marie and Jack teach, preach and train others to pray for those in need. Anna Marie has been given a wonderful anointing to minister. She enjoys leading women to discover the treasure they are in Christ. Visit her blog: Thirsty? Stop in for a Drink of Living Water!
Recently, my friend Nora invited me to Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, here in San Antonio, to hear nine decades of wisdom from nine lovely women. They were asked to review the prior ten years of their lives, and tell us what they knew now that they wished they had known then. It was inspiring!
I’d like to share the nuggets I came away with.
First, from the 17 year old high-school senior: God is there! (Psalm 139:7-10)
Next, from the 20-something: Seek God’s approval, not man’s! (Galatians 1:10)
Thirdly from the 30-something: God uses all our struggles for good. We can laugh without fear of the future! (Proverbs 31: 25)
Fourthly from the 40-something: Daddy God feels the same about me as I do my kids! He delights in ME! (Zephaniah 3:17)
From the 50-something: Change is coming – Don’t fear it! The one constant is your identity in Christ! Practice trusting Him in the small things. Love more, worry less! Relationships over rules! (Matthew 6:25-34)
60-something: I do not know as much as I think I do! But this I do know: God loves me, just the way I am! Be intentional with God. God will get you through it! Choose joy! (Isaiah 41:10)
70-something: Be thankful! Appreciate God’s timing, not ours! (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
80-something: Time is a valuable commodity. Have less worry, confusion, fear; these are by-products of search for Peace. Be a better listener! (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
And from the 90+ treasure:
Give words of encouragement to others. The blessings of old age: Time with the Lord which seemed limited in earlier years, is not limited in later years. There is more time to respond to the needs of children and more time to be involved. To those who are married: Focus on husband after nest is empty. Enjoy each other. Congratulate him on his successes! Stay on the same page with family after grand-kids arrive. (Proverbs 31:10-31)
For those with daughters-in-law: Laugh with them!
For those with sons-in-law: Keep your distance! (Laughter ensued!)
For married sons: Let him be the husband first!
For those with grandchildren: Stay in touch!
And finally, “God is good, as I told Him this morning!”
More wisdom from all the women:
For married women: Don’t forget what connected you to your husband.
Prefer one another.
It’s a partnership. I am not always right!
Be open and allow each other to be who they are.
Communicate!
There will be peaks and valleys. Enjoy the peaks, and when you are in the valley remember there is a peak coming! (Psalm 23)
For those in High School: Find your passion. Learn the hard part: Trust in God!
I would like to add that I took the 90+ year-old’s advice and congratulated my husband on his successes. I wish you could have seen his face light up! I asked him how it made him feel. He said, “Encouraged, affirmed and confirmed. It felt good! Do it more!” LOL, I believe I will!
Thanks, Ladies!! Blessings, Anna Marie