Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I stepped out onto the porch to welcome in this new day I saw that God dusted the mountain with snow overnight- an outward reminder of the winter season ahead…and a sweet reminder of where I am in the Journey of Life. Today marks the beginning of a new year in my life and I’m now in the winter season…a time when most of the hustle and bustle is behind me and where Wisdom is my greatest attribute. A time when my body shows signs of age and most things about me aren’t what they used to be. A time when my kids are now raising their kids and they don’t need me the way they used to. But for all the things that are “behind” me now, the Greatest Season is still ahead. I’m a Vessel for the Living God and He’s using me like never before. I’m a Voice for the Kingdom and I’m speaking up like never before. I face each new day with great anticipation, and I prepare for the Wonderful things He has in store for my Life. It’s a beautiful life and a blessing to be in the season capped with snow. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Life too?

There aren’t many things that make me crazier than to see people squandering a life that has so much Potential…especially during the season capped with snow. Some people crawl through life like slugs as they get older with no joy or excitement at all. It’s as if they lost a little happiness each year along the way and they don’t seem to care to look for it again. They sound more like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh when they speak…as if even uttering a word is a major effort and their age can be heard in their voice. They’re convinced that the best is behind them, so they have no Excitement for today whatsoever and sometimes they even wonder why God hasn’t taken them Home yet. Some people face each new day as if it’s a burden they are forced to endure instead of the Blessing that it really is. Some people look at the life of someone else and they’ll claim that IF they had a life like theirs, they could be happy too… as if outward things make the biggest difference of all. Some people believe their happiness is dependent on other people and they convince themselves that if they had the “right” mate or a houseful of kids, they could be happy just like the rest of the world. Some people have aches and pains and other physical challenges, and they embrace them like an old friend with no expectation of it ever getting better. Some people quit living a LONG TIME ago and they’re just biding their time until the end. They’re already dead, they just haven’t made it to a coffin yet. But in all fairness, anybody can live like that (and at any age) IF they fail to see that Life has a Purpose much Greater than themselves and much broader than the 4 walls of their solitary confinement. Nothing ever changes unless we do our part to change it, and no long-lasting Joy can be found without a proactive Focus on a Mighty God…all the days of our Lives!

There are plenty of people who look at my life and they could write a list a mile long for why THEY think it’s easy for me to be happy. They look at outward things or they hear me laugh or watch me smile and they convince themselves that joy comes easier for me than it does for them…but that’s not true at all. I determine to be happy and I insist on peace…and I’m old enough and wise enough to know where to go to find both. I refuse to surrender to the woes of “old age”, and I know where to go for my Strength. I meet each day with Great Anticipation, and I expect Good things each and every day…still. When I face trials and tribulations (just like everybody else does) I know where to turn for my Comfort and my Strategy. When the Devil tries to beat me up, I don’t lick my wounds – instead, I run to my Protector and I let Him take care of business on my behalf. I determine to be happy and I put in the effort it takes to sustain it…no matter what’s going on around me. I’m filled with Gratitude in ALL circumstances…it’s not possible to pick Life apart or lose your Joy when you remain Grateful through it all…especially in the Season capped with snow.

Age has no relevance at all when it comes to enjoying our days or making a Contribution to the Kingdom of a Mighty God and you’ll never hear me making excuses as I grow older. I’m like a child on a Christmas morning ready to open the Gift of each new day… and you’ll find me Savoring the Blessings like treasures. I work hard to be this way! I do my Part to Live out this Life with Purpose! When you Walk with Purpose, you’ll ALWAYS find happiness and Joy…no matter what season of Life you’re in.

Thank you, God, for the years capped with snow and for another Season to Serve you everything within me.

Happy birthday to me!