Middle of the Mess: Mid-life "blah" to Mid-life "ya!"

Gena Buza

Poetry has always been an outlet for me.   When I was a young girl I wrote often.  As I grew I wrote less.  Only once and a while would I pick up the pen and scroll out a few words as catharsis. Sadly, I lost those journals of childhood rambling  - but I have found again my love for crafting just the right word to describe my heart beats.

As we grow older in our faith, as well as in our bodies, we evaluate more, don’t we?  It’s why so many go through mid-life crisis and often resort to extremes to try and make up for lost time.   No red sports car for me.  But… I know it’s why I write.  It’s important to frame my mountain and valley times into a form not only for catharsis but also to provide someone else with strength and hope for their experiences.

It’s also how the Lord has gifted me, for such a time as this.  He put that desire to write in my heart way back at age 10 knowing that some day I would need it to endure long journeys, with heavy loads.  He has re-wrapped that desire in my heart and re-gifted it so that I may find purpose in my mid-life “crisis”.

What are you going through right now that causes you deep pause?  Has there been some life altering blow that startles you up in the mornings?  Has mid-life found you quicker than expected and left you wondering?  

Can I encourage you with my own truth?  I write from my struggle.  I don’t write because I have figured it all out.  I find my best words right in the middle of the valley.  I walk away from writing energized to press on.

So my friend, what can you do NOW that will provide you with motivation to press on?  What has God gifted you with that you can use as relief but also for the good of those around you?  What is in your heart that God has re-wrapped and is trying to re-gift to you?  Do you love to host/plan parties?  Do you have a love for the elderly?  Does cooking a meal for people in need get you jazzed?  Can you knit, sew, build, paint, or fix cars?  Have you gained wisdom in your life travels that the world could learn from?  

Ask the Lord today to reignite these gifts in you, set it ablaze!  

  

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 

The Lord is my shepherd;

    I have all that I need.

2 

He lets me rest in green meadows;

    he leads me beside peaceful streams.

3 

    He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

    bringing honor to his name.

4 

Even when I walk

    through the darkest valley,[a]

I will not be afraid,

    for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

    protect and comfort me.

5 

You prepare a feast for me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

    My cup overflows with blessings.

6 

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

    all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord

    forever.


(You can find my latest poem on my blog site.  Search for “Fragile Jars” in the Search bar or just click the link.)