My son sent me a book called, "Sacred Fire: A Vision For A Deeper Human and Christian Maturity". It was written by a former Catholic Priest named Ronald Rolheiser. My son was really smitten with and even sent the grandson a copy.
It was talking about the three stages of life - in his opinion. The first maybe went to about 20 years of age. I guess how I would summarize it would be growing up and maturing or as he called it fermenting. Basic and it happens despite us.
Three Kinds of Souls, Three Prayers
1) I am a bow in your hands, Lord, draw me, lest I rot.
2) Do not overdraw me, Lord, I shall break.
3) Overdraw me, Lord, and who cares if I break?
The next stage is all the way from 20 to say 70 years of age. Struggling making their lives theirs - finding a profession - marriage - raising children - houses - cars - jobs - etc. Most of our life are in these years. Hopefully towards the end of this season (and they don't want to think of death or look at it at the beginning of this stage - they think it won't happen. Right now, it is their world!), but hopefully towards the end they will have matured and their lives will be lived more for others than themselves. Mature discipleship.
However, that is not the end of life.
Then the last stage is about 65-70 and beyond. Retirement age. He talked about a couple who sold everything - left their kids - went to Pakistan to live out their life to minister to the people. No money. No credit cards. Nothing. The kids were upset. What about us here? The parents told them they were doing it for their kids.
They gave their all. EVERYTHING!
As I read and studied further, I saw they were saying or drawing parallel to Jesus and what he did with the end of his life.
That is how Jesus lived his life. HE GAVE HIS ALL - HE GAVE EVERYTHING.
I FINALLY GOT IT!
My husband and I both are in stage three. We are not going to be able to move to Pakistan, we are not able to do what Jesus did, and we can't give what Jesus gave. It would be impossible.
BUT NOT TO FRET OR THINK LIFE IS OVER. IT HAS JUST BEGUN! IT HAS JUST CHANGED.
You can give 'smaller." I help my friend in assisted living. I teach programs to my circle group. I pray A LOT for people. I call people to support them. I send cute memes to try to cheer people up. I try to let people know I love them.
Sometimes like with Jesus, it is accepted and sometimes it is rejected.
What do you think about the three stages and giving?
From Myra's Blog Respice, Prospice
16 comments:
This is really good and a call to all of us to be less selfish and strive more to be like Christ.
Well, this is a nice thought that your son gave you. I think we all have different lives though, and I gave my all in the beginning, maybe when they needed it the most, and was there for my children all day every day. I did this for about 30 years. That's a long time taking care of children, but I got them ready to start their own lives and to take care of their own children. So, that puts a smile on my face. I love all the e-mails and quotes and pictures you send me, Sandie, and I appreciate them very much. It's nice to have a friendship behind the posts, and you are one that people feel comfortable with, like your friend, Edna. I think in the third stage of life, as you mentioned, we should be free to live in peace or do what makes our hearts smile. But we are always giving, helping, and loving. That should never change.
How I love that little girl pic with the paint brush making rainbow colors. Have a wonderful week, Sandie. : )
Beautiful blog
Please read my post
Yes, do the best we can with what we have left. There are always ways to contribute. ❤️
We don't have to go to another country to do what we should be doing, being kind and giving to others and helping others. it takes a special calling to do the missionary thing.. I am doing everything I can to care for the three of us old people and our old home and that is what God wants me to do. Do what you can, where you are and with what you have
Thank you for this wonderful Christian post.
God bless.
Extremely interesting post that you shared about the book. Well I am hopeful that stage 3 for me is not over and it has just begun.
That is certainly an interesting way of looking at life. I won't ever give up; everything and move to Pakistan either but I would like to think I do my best to help where I can
Great post.
There are so many ways in each stage of life where we can help people.
All the best Jan
That is a great way to think about life and those of us already in that stage 3 do understand. How great it is that your son sent you the book. I need to check Amazon for a Kindle edition. Sending a hug!
Kudos to that couple who minister(ed) in Pakistan! We spent the early years of retirement babysitting our grandchildren and helping out our son and DIL however we could. (She was completing her five-year residency at the time--such a busy time!) We'd lived far apart for ten years; it was wonderful to be within ten minutes of each other. Our younger son and his wife lived an easy drive away, adding more joy to those years. If only our daughter and family in the Northwest resided in our area, life would be perfect!
Sandie such a wonderful post. That book sounds like something I most definitely need to read. Such an interesting way of thinking about how we grow, mature and live. I guess by the time you get to our age...we hopefully are living more like Jesus and know that what lies ahead is the best life yet - heaven! Hugs!
What a beautiful post. Life is such an amazing journey with different stages. I am very grateful to be in my current life chapter, each day a blessing.
That is a very interesting book. I think more about mortality at this age. I have become a lot more philosophical on this next stage of my life. I try to help others when I can but am very careful not to hurt their pride by doing so. It’s a fine line and a delicate thing to know when to back off. I have known a few who can’t see why their help is resented and are perplexed. Thank you for this wonderful post Sandie and all these lovely images. You certainly do help spreading the joy. Enjoy your day and weekend.
Ich las vor einiger Zeit über die drei Lebensphasen und habe mich damit beschäftigt. Ich finde die Idee deines Sohnes sehr gut. Wir sollten über unseren Lebensweg nicht erst im Rentenalter nachdenken, sondern schon früher im Glauben an Jesu handeln.
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