Last week I turned FIFTY! I haven’t mentioned it because I am not sure what I think!
I hardly remember turning thirty. I had just given birth to twins and was running on little sleep and frazzled nerves.
Turning forty was one of the best days of my life. In turning forty, I received ten extra minutes on my qualifying time for Boston. I made the trip from Costa Rica, where we were living, to Cincinnati, where my parents lived at that time. We drove to Athens Ohio specifically to run the marathon, just two days after my birthday.
I DID IT and qualifying for Boston put me in the top ten percent of runners. I felt fast, strong and YOUNG. I had never felt so empowered physically.
Last week crept up on me. All I could think about was the victory of turning forty and how I have had to stop running altogether because of my migraines. Physically I am not in very good shape.
My twins are 2000 miles away in college.
The milestone of each decade has brought a different phase of life. In light of that, I guess turning fifty has given me a sense of freedom. I have time to pursue the things I want. I have a schedule full of speaking dates and will be leading a mission team of women to Africa in October.
Last week all I felt was old. Today, I can see how God has opened doors and is allowing me to begin this next decade of my life in new and exciting ways. I need to get over my wrinkles and cellulite to rejoice in the ways God is blessing me.
Not only that! I went online to look at AARP Benefits and saw I can get $25.00 of pole dance lessons!!!
Jeremiah 29:11-13 is still true at fifty: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Rock On Middle Age Women!!!
Happy birthday...and hope your migraine is feeling some better! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteErin
Happy 50th to you. It only gets better and better.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that headache♥
pole dancing???? that is HILARIOUS!
ReplyDeleteYea...right! No one would want to see me pole dancing!!
DeleteOh my, the pole dancing lessons cracked me up. I have to admit that I am stunned at the tranformation I see in the mirror of late. It's discouraging me and I can't get past it most days, this watching myself age.But like you, every decade comes with its gifts different from the last and I am grateful. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, we just have to put the age thing in the back of our minds...or come to grip with it. Nothing we can do!
DeleteWell, since I'm 60, soon to be 61 in July, I think you're just a kid, Shanda : )
ReplyDeleteActually, the 50's for me were years of transition for family and ministry. Transitions are typically a little uncomfortable, but always worth the next stage : )
Happy Birthday and I also pray your headaches will end.
That makes sense that 50's would be transitional. I guess age is relative anyway!!!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Shanda. I turn 60 this year ... so pop over anytime you need to feel younger. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Shanda. Make the next 70 years your best years yet.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Shanda! April is a great birthday month, don't you think? :) (My b-day was last week too.) I like that you quoted Jeremiah 29:11-13. It's so true, no matter where we are in life!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Laura
Wow, so impressed with your running a marathon. That's fantastic, when I was 40 I was running the 2 mile in a few "Fun Runs"...now at 70, I think dancing with seniors in an exercise program at the YMCA (free with my Insurance)is as close to pole dancing I will get. HaHaHa. That was so funny! Really fun post!
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Happy Birthday!
Happy belated birthday, Shanda! I turned 50 last September. I remember being in a bit of a shock, also. It was the first time I ever thought of myself as getting "old". I agree with you, though, and am still pursuing new experiences and realize that God ISN'T done with us, yet!! I'm anticipating a move and finally being empty-nesters with my hubby!
ReplyDeleteIn His Lo♥e, Ann
Happy Birthday! I am on your heals by a couple of years! You tell me how the pole dancing goes so I will know if i need to put it on the bucket list!! Ha! May the next 50 be as full as the first :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Shanda! :)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Fifty is a real good age, you are more comfortable with yourself and not afraid to speak your mind. You are still lots younger than me and have a ton of energy! Hilarious, I have just never associated AARP with pole dances, how silly of me!
ReplyDeleteim hosting a tuesday's bloghop...please feel free to share your devotional cooking recepee craft any memory something the lord has done in your life im sure you have many...thank you very much if you join...blessed others ...have a very nice tuesday..
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!! Soooo funny about the pole dancing discount! Lol :) I think, as you are realizing, every season of life definitely has its purpose. The hard thing is letting go of the season we've left to fully embrace the new. I transition to 40 this year...but am expecting great things :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right: it is in letting go of the old to embrace the new that can be so hard!
DeleteEvery decade has its wonders and challenges. But GOD goes before you!
ReplyDeleteI turn 50 in August - and I BELIEVE life just gets sweeter and sweeter. Some days I may not feel it but I'm standing in faith on it! Happy Birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteOh friend, I lost my entire decade of the 30's to chronic illnesses. I started training for a marathon in my late 20's and the babies came & so did the illnesses. When I hit 40, I felt like I had a new life because healing took place in my body. Though I am saddened that I'll never run a marathon....this spiritual journey that I am on, is one! You'll find your 'new normal'. In the meantime, know that what He has called you to do will always bring you a much deeper 'high' than what you could ever get from running! By the way, I live right down the street from you in Ontario! My man and I grew up in Upland and we lived there for years until we had all of our financial problems. We should meet in real life one of these days. I'd suggest running a few miles on Euclid (one of my favorite pastimes....but perhaps coffee is a nicer idea?)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Shanda!
Hi Shanda - I think that aging is a mountain on it own and we can either embrace it or allow it to age us more. I think you are an embracing kinda woman and I believe your 50's will be AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
I am exceedingly impressed with this article. Looking looking for tomorrow’s posts.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny-pole dancing!! lol btw HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda! I also had a birthday last week. :) I can tell you that the rest of us have been blessed by your willingness to share your life experiences. Happy birthday.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by. happy birthday. older means wiser, so in the kingdom of God it's a gift to grow old! although, i'd hardly say that 50 is old! rock it, girl!
ReplyDeleteI will be joining the 50's in a month! Happy Birthday! Every season has new challenges and treasures! I am so thankful to be walking through it with the god of the universe...and Grace!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Happy birthday!! I lauaghed at both the pole dancing comment and not remembering your 30s. Let me tell you I loved the 50s - such freedom and self discovery. A time I finally felt like I discovered my true self. I am now entering the 60s and I hope I can say the same thing in 10 years.
ReplyDeleteAlso guess I never realized you had twins. I have twin grandsons, born last July, so am having a wonderful time times two!
Again Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday!!! My post this week contains a prayer request, for a sick little boy...so even if you don't visit my page, please pray for baby clay, who was born with CDH and is having his second repair surgery today.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday precious one.
ReplyDeleteShanda...welcome !!! oh there is an upside and downside of everything. I will say..I think there is freedom that can only come with age...since turning 50 years ago...I feel myself being more comfortable in my skin than I have every been(i was never really comfortable in my youth). I can't run the miles I used to ...muscles are not as toned...and my bladder...well... But I think at this point I am willing to lose some of those if being more settled in Him is where I land. Also...my new goal is to be gray and gracious...sooooo many woman are anything but gracious in their older years...so i told the lord when I turned 50...I want to be gray and gracious. Well for my age...I am not very gray...I don't know what that says about my spiritual progress:) blessings as we age like good wine....
ReplyDeleteTurning 50 was a biggie for me, too. But most traumatic was turning 40. I felt that everything was falling, wrinkling, and puckering. Even the very word, "forty," seemed to make my mouth pucker like a very old lady. But since 50, I have felt like I blinked, and now I'm 64. Ells above me said it all so well! But I can truly say, the one thing that I love about my age is that wisdom comes with it. We have learned so much, been through so much, and have so much to offer the generations behind us. Don't let go of your youth --- carry it all with you -- mistakes and all --- and learn from it and pass those lessons learned on to others. Believe me, this world needs Godly mentors so badly!
ReplyDeleteWow, 50!!! Happy, happy birthday Shanda! I know it was blessed & great! What a milestone... I salute you! And I know God has more in store for you in the years to come. You are a blessing to a lot of people. Continue on middle-aged lady! You rock! =))
ReplyDeleteI was impressed that you had mentioned running a marathon at age 40. I couldn't do it at any age, so congrats! Happy Birthday for 50! I'll pray for your migraines to leave in Jesus' name!
ReplyDeleteBelated happy 50th birthday to you. I turned 50 last march 10 this year and although 50 is a half a hundred years old and my phsical body is not like when I am younger, but I feel that my life has just begun. Especially when I learn to blog. A new world has opened for me. So ,although we turned fifty, life still has so much to bring:) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh that cup is soooooo cute! Happy Birthday, you look great! I could not stop laughing at your pole dancing comment....Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteThank you for always sharing your life with us.
God bless!
Happy Birthday! I have nearly a decade on you, and I am so thankful that with Him, all things are possible! We're never too old for Him to use us, and we're all babies in eternity-years!
ReplyDeleteMay the coming year be especially blessed for you,
Laurie
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
Happy Birthday Shanda...I turned 50 in Bolivia, S.A. where we served as dorm parents with New Tribes Mission. during the long break I found a piano for "older people" and taught my self how to play simple songs on the piano.
ReplyDeleteAs Diane said we have served many years over seas and just came home from 7 years in Papua New Guinea. Since we are not into retiring yet (we are 65) our mission is going to put to use all the years and experiences to help those coming and going to the 26 countries New Tribes is in. Our ministry is one of Member Care...and we cover six states, California included. We live in Simi Valley, Ca...where do you live in Ca?
I love your post on dancing and the trio that sang. Southern Gospel music is my favorite, sing a little my self.
I love the fact you take women to Africa...it is true your eyes will affect your heart. Plan to stop by agian for I love gleaming from wise hearted women. Blessing my sister.
Happy Birthday and thanks for hosting! I bet your hubby is glad you're turning 50--pole dancing and all! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 50th birthday! 50 sounds really good to me since I will be turning 56 this year. Every birthday is a blessing. Love your blog and am now a follower! Teresa from NanaHood...Nanas rock and not just in rocking chairs!
ReplyDeleteHappy 50th!!Sounds like you have had a pretty good life, I bet God has a lot more blessings in store for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your fiftieth birthday! It is great to read about the freedom you feel. There is always something to celebrate. I just found your blog through SDG and look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! 50 was a great year for me. I hope it will be for you, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and do enjoy being 50 for it will soon pass! These decades come quicker than the blink of an eye - - yet God does have plans for you and there is much ahead that you can do for him. Watch for open doors - they are all around you!!
ReplyDeleteThat's for your honesty about how all you felt was old last week. I , too, need to get over my wrinkles and cellulite and enjoy what God has for me NOW! I turn 48 in a few weeks, so 50 is looming over the horizon!
ReplyDeleteI pray God will keep me and you young at heart!
Birthday hugs! We ain't none us getting any younger. But we are much cooler!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Birthday!!! I'm sure the next 50 are going to be even better than the first!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday. Believe me, 50 isn't fatal. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Joan
Happy Birthday...I am 51 and still deciding on how I feel about the 50's, as if I have a choice...LOL Enjoy, enjoy....and look at all that are joining your linky party...I can say you have this blog thing down...go girl!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janette, You have always been inspiration to me! Yours is one of the first blogs I followed and I love the way you attack life.
DeleteWow, those are some encouraging words. I want to feel strong and vibrant when I turn fifty...forty for that matter! Happy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Late birthday! It sounds as if you already have a lot of great things planned for this year. Love that Bible verse. Believe I have a plaque with it. It's a really great reminder. Hope you have a great Wednesday, Shanda! You will rock this decade, too!
ReplyDelete☆.•*¨*•.•*¨`*•.¸.•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•.☆ ☆.•*¨*•.•*¨`*•.¸.•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•.☆ Happy Belated birthday Shanda!!!! ☆.•*¨*•.•*¨`*•.¸.•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•.☆ ☆.•*¨*•.•*¨`*•.¸.•*¨`*•. .•*¨`*•.☆ You're still just a puppy. I say this as someone who could be your very, VERY slightly older brother. And 50 years, 100 years, it's only the beginning of our eternal life. God bless and keep you and each and every one of yours!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on turning 50; my 50's were full of a lot of lessons in life. I am now in my 60's and enjoying the moments. I loved reading your thoughts and I think you should take up pole dancing. I am smiling on that one...............
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! This is a great post- Thank you for shining your shiny Jesus filled self in the Blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteHappy Albeit-Belated Birthday. May this next season be the most fruitful and rewarding ever. I'm so blessed to have met you.
ReplyDeleteShanda,
ReplyDeletei enjoyed this post. you have so much to offer. i already glean so much here. and you got a really long comment out of Ro--that is hard to do. ~chuckle~...thank you for the kind words and encouragement. blessings and happy birthday!
Pole Dance lessons? Well, I guess you can't make stuff like that up!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I learned today that in some countries 30 is already middle aged. don't i feel old.
I had a hard time when I turned 39 and then again when I turned 50. Happy belated birthday ( sorry about the migraine) Hugs and thank you for joining in the fun at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
ReplyDeleteFifty, I remember it well. I turned fifty six months after our trip to Africa. Now, I am facing a bigger birthday - Sixty! I can barely believe it. Thankfully, I am in good health. Can still do about anything I want to including long, fast paced walks and weight training (working off those middle age/post menopause pounds that snuck up on me). And, feel I still have a lot to give to this world. Blessing to you, and happy belated birthday!
ReplyDelete