Today my sweet friend Marion Bond West Acuff is sharing part two of Aging Gracefully~A Seventy Something Perspective. She shared Part One last week in case you missed it, have a look!
Marion is a long time writer for Guideposts Magazine, now a Contributing Editor. She’s written seven books, her latest: Praying For My Life is available through Amazon. Here are her final thoughts on aging…
Thoughts on my Looks…
I grieve my youthful and much taken for granted 24 inch waist. When I hold my tummy in and squint I can still see my twentish figure. But really, everything’s changed. I’ve recently discovered back fat. I keep remembering how my mother cooked all our veggies in fat back. I can hardly look at my back without thinking about that…I try to convince myself that by morning it will be gone.
Thoughts on my feelings…
I’ve come to believe that our thoughts create our emotions. We only have 8 seconds to refuse a thought. This has taken a life-time to even start to learn. I guard my thoughts like a mother lion guards her cubs. I’m allergic to fearful or worrying thoughts. They are not permitted to trespass in my mind. This discipline helps me every day.
Worry is a waste of time. I never thought I’d be free of worry and fear. They were constant companions. Not anymore. I give God praise for all He’s allowed to come into my life that’s allowed me to relinquish those two bothersome tag-alongs. Anyone can be free of them. It’s never too late.
Thoughts on grown children…
I’ve learned that we can’t force a grown child to choose life. I don’t believe this is ever learned quickly or easily. Pain after pain after pain was my solution. I can’t do this, I told myself one day. I thought God smiled and said, Of course not, child. You never were supposed to.
I have a son in prison and I can thank God because he is safe. I also thank Him for his twin brother who has done a 180* turn around and now takes his bipolar meds and attends AA and Celebrate Recovery. Grown children make their own choices. Sometimes all we can do is stop trying to fix them and pray hard.
Thoughts on friends…
I have friends of all ages now. From teenagers to seniors much older than I am. Age isn’t a consideration at this time in my life! I’ve learned not to say everything I think. Sometimes when I see a need that deserves to be met and there’s no one around but me, I meet it and my joy is explosive. People all around us need compassion (not pity). Some need a little money. Some need to laugh. And some need a Savior. Even something as small as a smile
Thoughts on doing what I love…
Reading. I’ve always loved to read. Now, I can read an entire book with only a couple of short breaks. Books are my passion. Some of my favorites are: The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by-Hannah Whitall Smith, The Inward Journey by Gene Edwards, Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets. I love all of Catherine Marshall’s books as well as Jamie Buckingham’s. I have favorite non-Christian authors too, but I can’t spell their names. Alas! I still type on my 27 year old IbM Selectric 2. No computer. One day I may be the only person in the world who can change the ribbons on an IBM.
Thoughts on love…
When my husband of 25 years died of brain cancer in 1983, I knew my life was over.I couldn’t imagine going on. My greatest battle with fear ensued. God won that battle for me. It was moment by moment agony though. I was 46 when Jerry died and after a year or so I began to talk to God about being a wife again. I like being the other half of someone. After four years he brought a Guideposts reader into my life and we fell in love through letters and phone calls. In a four-month delicious courtship (in which we never met until becoming engaged) my life began over. I was so in love I couldn’t eat or sleep or concentrate. I grinned all the time and took the phone into the closet to talk. (Still had children at home) Gene Acuff and I have been married for 23 years. Sigh! He made me feel like Cinderella–and still does occasionally!
Life is good … welcome every day, every year, with an open heart.
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I so love this Marion. You’ve made me feel excited about being seventy-something! I love that God helped you to leave behind fear and worry. And what bliss to be able to sit down and read a book right through ! You are an inspiration and your life truly is good.
Love to all of you Peeps…I’m praying for all of the needs you mentioned last week. Do one little something today that makes you smile~
Well, Mom, you did it again. Great writing.
Now, I’ll just print this up and mail it to her so she can see her blogged words. 🙂
What a lovely post from a wise woman! Much can be learned from her.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Have Ya’ll Seen This? =-.
Both parts were awesome! Thanks for sharing this. I try daily to give my worry and fear to God, I can’t wait until I can state what she stated above! 🙂 Oh and thank you for letting me know you are still praying for me, I am doing the same… you are on my personal prayer list! 🙂
.-= Chele´s last blog ..Thirsty Thursday – Peace =-.
What a wise woman! Love the words about fear. We’re all guilty of that, aren’t we?
This just makes my heart flutter with “joy tickles!” I’d share with you my favorite parts, but so much of it resonated with me that I’d simply be reiterating the whole thing! I too am going to print this out, but for a much more selfish reason. I just want to keep these very wonderful “words to live by” close to me for reference 🙂 Thank you for sharing your faith and wisdom with us!
Robin, I hope you will invite Miss Marion back for more of her wisdom! Love to you Robin!
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..Golf adventures. =-.
I belong to Al-Anon and am working on the 3rd step, turning my will and my life over to God. This is a beautiful post and I LOVE this woman! I will save this and I already sent it to my sister-in-law! Thanks so much!!!!! Pinky
Marion Bond West Acuff, I have loved your writing since I first read you in Guideposts. What a beautiful piece this was. I look forward to sharing it with my Mom. She lost a son in ’08, and I think it will encourage her. You must be one amazing woman. My gratitude is yours–thank you for using your gifts for good.
Robin, thank you so much for sharing your podium with Mrs. Acuff! You are such a lantern, my dear. Keep spreading the light of God’s love and hope!
.-= Anita´s last blog ..I’m Going to Mess Up! =-.
This was a beautiful post…full of wisdom and deeply touching. Thank you so much for the encouragement!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..A Delightful Day Trip =-.
I received a 35th anniversary edition of Guidepost and read the 4 articles
by Marion Bond West Acuff. I had Gene Acuff as a professor at Phillips University 1958-1962 in Enid OK. I introduced him to Phyllis and had lost track of him over the years. Emanuel and I celebrated our 49th Anniversary on December 19. Emanuel and I retired from public education and have a Private Christian School, Emmanuel Baptist Child Development Center and Academy in Farmington, NM. We would love to get in touch with Gene and catch up over the years. Lois
Lois ~
I’m so happy to get your info to Gene and Marion! What a small small world. I’m shooting an email to Marion’s daughter, my BFF this morning!
Congrats on 49 years my dear friend…
xoxo
Robin
I’ve been getting Guidepost since 1984….I love love love reading Marion Bond West Acuff stories. Her stories always touch my heart. I read July 18-24 2011 her “Letters From The Heart”. I was ready to give up on meeting someone and maybe one day getting married again. I’m going to hold on to hope that God will send someone just right for me. I was so excited reading every day that I want to cheat and read ahead. I didn’t, but I couldn’t wait til the next day to read the next story. I would go back and read them over again. I had to tell the Bible study class about the heart and the throne inside of it. I want Jesus to alway be on the throne in my life. Thanks so much for doing and being who God created you to be…God bless you and your family.
I am a guidpost reader for several years. I love your devotions and your book, praying for my life,I read it twice. Thank you Marion for who you are!
Marion, Your stories of your boys seems like a parallel universe. My twins: Jeremy and Jon are 35 years old and struggling with life. There has been juvenile court, several rounds of drug abuse. Grandchildren whom I love and want to keep safe and insulated from out of control dad. Alas, an adult child makes choices their children have to live with. Mama s have a hard time knowing when she needs to step up and when to step back.