Masquerade!

Today was a day of costumes and masks! 

The song from "Phantom of the Opera" played through my mind all day long.

"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade. . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will never find you!

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade. . . .
Masquerade!
Look around--
there's another mask behind you!. . . ."

I just finished a book and the main character talked about how we all have our own masks.  A friend had died with lots of secrets and her friend was talking to someone else and stated that "the closing years of life are like the end of a a masquerade party, when the masks are dropped."

Those words have played in mind, over and over.  What mask am I wearing?  Is there something that I need to confront from my past and to let it go?

People are wearing invisible masks and being someone else.  What are we trying to hide?

As I continue on my journey and discovering myself, may I see my life as it is and not try to hide behind a mask!  Once I drop the mask, I may realize the unique the person that I am.

Looking Into The Mirror

As I look at the leaves changing colors(bright yellow, gold, orange and red) and the temperature turning colder, I realize that my own life is changing.

The mirror doesn't lie.  My face is not as firm as it was thirty years ago.  There is a droop around the eye area and the chin area seems a little bit more thicker.  And what about the hair?  There is a new tint of gray that keeps popping up.

I seem to be thinking more about yesterday and tomorrow and less about today.  The verse that keeps coming to mind is "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalms 90:12 

I do know that my days are numbered and I do want my days left on this world to be glorifying to God.  May I be the servant that He wants me to be.  May I take time to listen to others and to be faithful as a friend.

I realize that God has used many great men and women in the later years of life.  Abraham was far more effective once he grew old and mellow.  Moses wasn't used until he turned eighty.  Caleb was eighty-five when God allowed him to take the Israelites into the promised land.  Samuel was old when he anointed the first two kings of Israel. Mother Teresa was devoted to helping the poor, the sick, the needy and the helpless.  There are so many more people that God has used in their latter years of life.

Growing old has its difficulties and heartaches, but there are also the joy and happiness that has happened along life's journey.

I came across these verses:

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."  Proverbs 16:31

"They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green."  Psalms 92:14

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."  Isaiah 46:4

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.  Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live; not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good."  Titus 2:2-3

As I look into the rear view mirror, may I see a person who will allow the gray hair and old age be a blessing from God and that I will rejoice in the years of experience and wisdom that has been gained.

Praise God for A New Day!

As I looked at the sky and the beautiful colors of orange, yellow and dark blue clouds, I realized that today had been a beginning of a new day.  I have discovered that the days are going faster, the years are getting shorter and my life expectancy is different than when I was eighteen.  With all of that in mind, I am beginning to enjoy each new day.

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."  Psalms 27:4

This was David's prayer.  His greatest desire was to live in God's presence each day of his life.  My prayer is that I will also enjoy each day with God and I will allow Him to use me to make a difference.