The Best Years of Your Life

When I was growing up I really didn’t like school. I was an easy target for the bullies because I was little and shy and couldn’t express myself clearly. The lessons were boring and I couldn’t read out loud without stuttering. However, when I complained about my troubles, I was always told by my parents, friends of the family, aunts and uncles, “Enjoy school while you can. These are the best years of your life.”

It always sent me into a panic. This is the best I’ll ever get? Oh no, I’m doomed! I’ve got nothing to look forward to if this were true.

Then I left school and joined the work force. There were no bullies, no homework, no boring lessons. No one told me I was ugly. No one told me I was stupid. When I got home after work I could relax and switch off. I could do whatever I wanted to do.

Then work became boring. I had to work late some nights and I had to work some weekends. The pay was terrible and the stress levels began to soar. Then I thought about what I’d always been told: “School is the best years of your life.” I caught myself pining over the loss of my school days!

Well, I stopped that real fast. No, I thought, now is the best time of my life. God has blessed me with the now. Regardless of my circumstances I have God and I have now. I can see God’s power in my life. I can feel God’s love. I am blessed. I am alive. I am here, now.

End of Summer

Here in Australia we are coming to the end of summer. The nights are only just beginning to feel cooler. The days are still long, but they aren’t as humid. I have a smile on my face again in anticipation for the coming winter. And then I thought about it…

Every year during the summer months I’d mourn the loss of winter. I’d complain about the heat. I’d complain about the flies. I’d see myself as a winter girl who loved snuggling down under thick blankets, listening to the cold rain outside, eating the warming foods such as the slow-cooked lamb shanks, the winter stews, and the shepherd’s pies.

Of course, every year during the winter months I’d mourn the loss of summer. I’d complain about the cold. I’d complain about the heavy clothes. I’d see myself as a summer girl who loved the heat, the swimming pools, and even the summer foods such as the plethora of seafood, mangoes and ice creams.

Seasons change. It’s unavoidable. Life changes. That too is unavoidable. Everything around us changes. No summer is exactly the same. No winter is identical. We are all a little older than the last one. We are all a little changed. So let’s appreciate everything that we have rather than complaining and wishing for something else. Let’s thank our God for the Now.