We don’t see ourselves as time passes, and we don’t realize how much we have changed. Thirty years ago, my wife and I walked down the aisle of the church to exchange our wedding vows. We could not have anticipated what would happen in the following years.

Adopting our two sons was a milestone in our lives. While the first ten years of our adoption were extremely challenging, they saw not only our sons grow but us as well. Our sons stretched us with their laughter, disobedience, dependability, and hard work. We enjoyed riding bikes, eating ice cream, and having devotions together. As they matured, they both started their careers and married fine wives. Despite the challenges of the COVID years, they regrouped and made us proud. And now we have the joy of four grandchildren.

Not having gone through the infancy years of our own sons (they were ten years old when we adopted them), we have entered a new phase with the infancies and toddlerhood of our grandchildren. We take joy in being known as “grandma” and “grandpa.” As they started to talk, they wouldn’t stop. Their parents love them dearly, as well.

This has led us to realize that life is short. I am working on my own flaws and trying more than ever not to be critical, but encouraging. Cancer has made me move slower and have less resilience (my wife had her health challenges about fifteen years ago). I work on exercising more and eating more fruit. I am trying to learn how to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (not always complaining about my limitations). We have learned to love each other in spite of our flaws, and in ways that we did not know thirty years ago. And I definitely drink more coffee than thirty years ago! Who would have thought that we would live in our current house for over twenty years, since I had moved every 2-4 years in my adult life prior to that?

We pray for Christlikeness to characterize our sons and their families. As we look toward the last chapters in our lives, we pray that we leave a godly heritage and legacy for them and their children. We realize that we are only a few short years from the end of our lives, and want to make the most of them.

What are you living for? What are you asking God to do through you in the remaining years of your life? Remember, God has no benchwarmers, only people who are serving Him in this life. Slow down if you must, but try to keep moving!