“Happy birthday, Sheryl!” Christina from Coastal Edge Salon said as I sat in the styling chair, quietly praying for a miracle.

“I need a younger look, Christina. Someone thought I was my sister’s mom.” I laughed when I said this, but I promise you, I wasn’t laughing on the inside.

She assured me she’d fix the problem. After a super-duper-gray-defying color session, a younger-looking me got up from the chair. It was a near miracle! At least, my husband, Bert, said I looked younger. (He wouldn’t lie, would he?)

I wish I could say I didn’t care how much my age is showing. Having sisters who seem to be aging more gracefully doesn’t help. Although we’re close in age, their chins, arms and midriffs look better than mine. Sigh.

While I’m thankful for another year, the reality that less of my life lies before me than behind me sometimes hits hard. This fact makes me want, more than ever, to live with purpose.

Don’t you?

Don’t you want to resolve to make each year – each day – count? Do you want to live in such a way that your life declares God’s faithfulness? If so, let’s ask God to use us for the rest of our lives to glorify Him.

Psalm 71:17-18 (ESV) resonates with me:

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

• Do you celebrate each new year God gives you?
• Or do you dread another candle on your birthday cake?

Even though I’m beginning to resemble someone old and gray (though with Coastal Edge’s help, you’ll never see the gray part), I have purpose. Indeed, this “mature” woman of God invites you to watch my life because, by God’s grace, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

My prayer:

O God, thank You for my life – every single year of it! I pray You will grant me (and everyone who reads this) more years so we can declare Your wondrous deeds, strength and power to this generation and to future generations. Amen.

What about you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)

• Are you looking forward to your next birthday?

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