Mom and I were visiting several years ago and we stopped by one of our favorite restaurants for lunch. I encountered several emotions the moment she ordered off the “seniors” menu. I was surprised. I was saddened. I was adamant that she wasn’t old enough to do so. However, she was. Somewhere along the line, my mom aged without my notice. Which in turn meant that I also aged.

As I approach that “senior” age, I am beginning to understand the value of a “senior” menu. Most of the time I cannot finish the amount of food brought to me in a restaurant. A “senior’s” portion would certainly help in that area.

There is also the monetary value. As my husband continues to approach retirement age, we realize the importance of saving…even if it is a little bit with a “senior” discount. We always ask if there is a discount and at what age discounts can be applied.

As I grow older, my body isn’t as cooperative as it used to be. Granted, I’m overweight, I have plantar fasciitis, and I have arthritis in several joints, but still, nothing seems to work as it once did. And it can be very frustrating.

Take yesterday for example. I was asked to help with the décor for our Vacation Bible School. As I was placing gaff tape all over the floor of the church lobby, I thought how sore I would be this morning. On my knees. Up and down. Bending in places my body doesn’t typically bend. It was inevitable. I would feel the strain this morning.

But in all reality, it isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Yes, I know I moved more yesterday than I had in a while, but it is good for me. I need to be pushed in order to gain flexibility and strength.

My spiritual life is the same. When I am pushed to give God just a little more, the outcome is amazing.

After finishing the Bible study “Follow Me,” by Randy Sprinkle, I was pushed just a bit more in my prayer experiences with God.

There was a guest speaker at church this past weekend and he encouraged us to spend just a little more time in God’s Word each day. His suggestion was to read God’s Word just 10% of the down time in your day. I was pushed to make an effort to do so.

You see, sometimes we get lazy in our spiritual life just as we do in our physical life. And if someone or something isn’t there to tell us otherwise, we’ll just keep going down the same path and eventually won’t be doing anything to better ourselves spiritually.

And let me tell you, God doesn’t put a retirement age on spiritual growth. He expects us to continue to grow until the day we are united with Him forever (Luke 2:25-35 – Simeon and Luke 2:36-28 – Anna).

So today, as the young children of our community come to our version of Vacation Bible School, they will be urged to grow spiritually. They are the future generation of LifeBridge Christian Church and we need to share the importance of spiritual development with them.

What are you doing to grow spiritually? What steps have you put into place to assure your discipline in these areas? How often do you pull out your Bible to read God’s precious Words? Have you spent time with God this morning in prayer?

My summer will be filled with Bible study, writing this blog and writing a Bible study for the fall. I will be busy. I will be filled with joy. I will be growing. Being with God and growing in His ways are better than life.

David understood this and he wrote about it in Psalm 63. Take a look at what he has to say.

“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

“I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

“My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:1-8 – NIV)

Are you with me? Are you ready to be pushed just a bit? If so, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you. If you want to leave a comment, please click here.

Ready? Set? Grow!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna