Age is Not Always Relevant

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve worked on this rambling over the past month or so, it’s definitely been a work in progress.

Age is a reference point, not a limitation. All of my life I’ve heard people say, “I’m too old to do that”, or “I’m not old enough to do that.” What is the right age? The answer to that for the most part once you’re an adult is totally up to you. There are so many things I would have missed out on if I said I was not old enough or I was too old.

I learned to ride at 50 as you know if you’ve followed my ramblings from the beginning. At 55 I taught myself to pressure can, waterbath/steam can and preserve eggs like they did when there were no refrigerators. At 56 I taught myself to make a healthy fermented drink called kombucha and also to ferment vegetables for a healthier snack/meal choice. Recently I also learned to assist in the delivery of baby piglets. I have no doubt there are more new things I will be learning this coming year as well and as long as I am alive I am determined to never stop learning new things.

My rides have not happened nearly as often as I’d like lately thanks to the weather, work, and life in general but soon I hope that will change! One thing about not being able to ride as much is that it forced me to learn alternate ways to have that quiet time with Him and to refocus on the important things. You see we never truly stop learning, whether we realize it or not.

Recently one morning before the sun came up I was laying awake just listening to the sounds of nature. The birds were singing and sounded so cheerful and peaceful. The roosters were crowing and there was another rooster not far away that was answering them, like they were having a conversation amongst themselves. There was the occasional chirping toad and barking dog thrown in amongst the birds. Isn’t it amazing how every living creature has it’s own language? That didn’t just happen randomly, its all part of God’s plan and I’m thankful for the quiet times to be able to truly appreciate His creation.

I’ve experienced new life quite a bit recently and it never ceases to amaze me. From another grandchild being born to helping my momma pigs give birth and seeing baby chicks that had just hatched. We can feel so helpless at times when we can’t “fix” things but then so blessed when we can help bring a new life into the world.

I must say Kunekune piglets are amazing little creatures to watch and their relationship with their momma is in many ways like our relationship with our moms and also with Jesus. As I said earlier, you never truly stop learning no matter your age. I’ve seen puppies, goats, donkeys and cows give birth and took it for granted. I just saw it simply as a part of life. Being present and assisting with piglet birth and sadly seeing 2 that were stillborn and 1 that despite all efforts for days just didn’t survive was different.

Life is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted for even a minute. As I have watched these babies and their mommas it’s made me realize even more just how precious it is. Their mommas are their food source but also so much more. She is also their protector and their teacher. One sow has just 1 baby and I recently saw her send him into a short flight. He was coming over to her food bowl of vegetables and she gently nudged him away, he wasn’t old enough to really eat that yet anyway. He didn’t get the point she was trying to make apparently and came right back into the feed bowl. This time she was a little more serious with her “nudge” and he took flight! When he landed he just stood there for a moment as if to say, “How did I get over here?” He learned momma meant business and did not go back to the bowl. We’re never too old to learn, but we’re not too young to learn either.

Jesus was teaching at a very young age and He is still teaching us, if we only take the time to listen. We can learn from those younger than us as well as from those older than us. EVERYONE can teach us something as we were all created for a different purpose with different gifts. If we keep our minds open, there are new learning opportunities every day.

I have previously mentioned some gardening memories from my childhood and my gardening attempts in recent years. This like everything else is trial and error and learn as you go. Just because the first attempt is not as successful as you’d have liked, doesn’t mean you quit. You instead try again making changes from what you’ve learned. You do research and see what works for others and you never give up. As I was working in this year’s garden recently talking to God I realized why gardening has become more important and more relaxing to me. It’s been my new “quiet time ” with Him and what better place for it, after all we were created in the garden. Working in the dirt, seeing new things come to life like flowers, herbs and vegetables, and learning ways to use and preserve them is amazing. I learned just today that adding freshly picked chocolate mint to a cup of black coffee tastes like you’re drinking a thin mint cookie, just not as sweet. 😀

He has provided us with so much we take for granted and yet some believe it all just happened on it’s own. I don’t know about you but I know nothing just happens on it’s own. The older I get the more I realize it. I may not be able to explain it effectively to nonbelievers, but I know it with every fiber of my being. Some things happen when we assist them along, others things happen when we don’t do anything at all. We need to ask Him constantly which path we are to follow. We choose daily, many times a day in fact, whether or not we’re willing to listen and to learn. We cannot grow if we’re not willing to learn. I may be getting older, but I’m definitely not too old to learn and do.

I was able to experience a once in a lifetime moment just last night. We were eating supper and heard a pretty loud bang on our glass door. My husband went to see what it was and a hummingbird had flown into the door and was just laying on the porch. I went out to check on it and picked it up as it didn’t seem to be able to lift itself up. I saw it’s eyes moving but it didn’t seem afraid at all or try to escape. The more I observed it, the more it appeared not to be able to move its head. I was afraid maybe it had permanently damaged its neck. I gently placed him on the stone border of my flower bed and went back inside. I feed these precious little birds and the fact I’d actually been given the opportunity to hold one was amazing. His beautiful red throat was sparkling and shiny and he was so incredibly delicate. After supper I went out to check on him and when I approached, I noticed it was on the opposite side I had laid it on. I was afraid it had passed away. To my surprise when I went to touch it this time, it got onto its stomach, its wings began to flutter slowly and soon I heard the buzzing of its wings and off he flew!! It’s an experience I will always remember. If God is able to create such a beautiful and delicate bird as that and it can withstand crashing into a glass door then later fly away, just think what he can do through us if we are open to His help!

Never give up learning or reaching out to Him and never think you can’t do something just because of your age. Maybe we can’t do what we want to or think we should, but if we are still here it’s for a reason and He will use us if we allow Him to.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.