This week, we’re taking a break from the busyness series for this special birthday edition.
To celebrate my 50th birthday, my husband and I planned a train ride getaway. Since I love making lists, and I had several quiet hours at my disposal, I thought it would be fun to create a list of the things I’ve learned in my fifty cycles around the sun. Of course, this isn’t exhaustive, but I thought I’d share with you the fifty things that came to mind.
The 50 in 50 List
Life is a series of continual growth, development, and change. Our experiences make us who we are.
The best decision anyone can make in life is to choose to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
It doesn’t matter what people think of me. What matters is who I am in Christ and what He thinks of me.
One of the greatest gifts in life is having a godly heritage and passing that on to your children.
There is value in teaching your children to tithe as soon as they get an allowance. My dad helped develop this habit in me when I was young. As I grew into adulthood, tithing was a natural thing for me to do and has never been a struggle.
Memorizing scriptures is crucial for weathering life’s storms. I learned this when my mother taught me Psalm 56:3 when I was a child. This verse has been a lifeline for me to this day. It recalibrates my mind and focuses on the One who can conquer all my fears.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3, KJV)
When things get hard, don’t quit. Complete what you started. Practice this at a young age and teach it to your children.
Germs make me sick! Wash your hands and don’t eat or drink after anyone.
Having the opportunity to serve in children’s ministries at a young age created a lifelong desire to serve in my local church. The younger you start serving the Lord, the better.
“Read your Bible and pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow” isn’t just a fun children’s song. It’s a truth to live by!
Better to let God plot your course than try to force your plans. Doing your own thing, your way, leads to a lack of peace and a miserable existence.
You don’t have to have your life figured out as soon as you graduate high school. Just take one day at a time, one step at a time, and do the next thing. As long as you’re seeking God, everything will eventually fall into place.
Better to guard your heart than to follow it.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV)
God’s timing is always perfect!
Sometimes God just wants us to step out in faith and trust Him.
True happiness can only be found in Christ.
The more you read your Bible, the more you learn about God and develop a closer relationship with Him.
As it turns out, my parents did know what they were talking about!
The best friends are the ones who tell you the truth, no matter how painful it may be to hear.
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17, KJV)
The feminists have it all wrong! True freedom is found in fulfilling our God-given roles as wives and mothers.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it…”. We can’t be successful on our own. We need God.
It’s not wrong for a woman to work. Even the Proverbs 31 woman contributed to the family income. In fact, it’s a good idea for a woman to have a way to generate income should something happen to her husband and he is unable to do so.
Schedules and routines create consistency and stability.
The greatest things in life: Salvation, Marriage, and Motherhood.
The only thing that will save you is Jesus Christ. Not good works. Not baptism. Not being a good person. You cannot inherit salvation from your parents. It’s a personal decision that each of us has to make. Putting our faith and trust in Christ alone for salvation is the only way to be saved. It’s as simple as A-B-C. Admit you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus died for your sins. Call upon Him to save you.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10, KJV)
Being a child of God doesn’t guarantee a problem-free life. But it does guarantee that we won’t have to face the storms of life alone.
You are never going to change people. Only God can. If you want something changed, pray about it. He will either change the situation or change you.
Stay committed to staying committed. It’s worth it! The longer you’re married, the sweeter it is.
Family vacations are wonderful. They were great when I was a kid and even better when I became a parent.
Enjoy each stage and age that your children go through. It goes so fast!
Dare to be different!
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” (1 Peter 2:9, KJV)
Everything we have is given to us by God. We are to steward it well.
Being fruitful is more important than being productive.
Rest is essential.
Our houses don’t have to be perfect. Being hospitable and showing others that we genuinely care about them is more important than a pristine home that looks like it came out of a magazine.
Our main purpose in life is to live to glorify God and draw others to Him.
Living mindfully requires taking time regularly to stop and reflect on what our goals and priorities are – how we’re living and what we’re doing to make a difference in our world for Christ.
The most rewarding life is lived for God and others.
“And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” (Luke 10:27, KJV)
We all have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. “What am I doing to make an impact?” should be a question we ask ourselves regularly.
We only get one chance at life. Make it count!
Be a parent to your kids when they’re young. You can be their friend when they reach adulthood.
Wedding planning is not for the faint of heart!
The empty nest brings a mixed bag of emotions and can be one of the hardest seasons of life.
No matter how bleak things may look, Sadness and difficulties won’t last forever.
“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b, KJV)
Bad things happen to good people, but God uses the trials of life to refine us and draw us closer to Him.
If you don’t like how the world is headed, start sharing the gospel with those around you. Sharing the gospel changes lives. The more lives are changed, the more people there are to share the gospel, and the more the world will change as a result.
Using a prayer journal organizes your prayer requests and helps create a more effective prayer life.
Scripture writing is life-changing. There is so much more to discover when you slow down and copy the words, rather than just reading them.
It’s never too late to begin again. Each new day is an opportunity for a fresh start. Don’t let past failures dictate how you move forward.
God has a unique plan and purpose for us at every stage and every age. As long as we have breath, He still has a plan for our lives. We must continue to be a willing vessel.
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8, KJV)
What are some lessons you’ve learned in your life’s journey? I’d love to know!
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Very interesting thoughts.
This is a great list! Thanks for sharing, and happy birthday! 💞