I never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d turn 53. “Who turns 53, anyway?” said my 26 year old self. The years rolled on, and then I stayed 36 for years, at least in my mind. I never thought aging would bother me either, but at 46 I started to get more gray. I left my oath to never dye my hair in the dust and ran out for my box of Miss Clairol.
For a few years I bemoaned aging. After all, I couldn’t do anything about those wrinkles, and no sustainable diet could tame that middle age spread spreading around my middle. Honestly I was dreading 53. Because well, FIFTY THREE. It sounds older than 52, right? Yet recently I had an epiphany:
Life is Still Beautiful at 53.
Surely a woman at 53 can be more beautiful than ever if her eyes smile and her arms open wide to embrace others. She stays fresh at any age if she’s learning new things. When she makes room for more of God in her life, He gifts her with more joy and hope. Maybe she grows a bit gentler? If that’s not beautiful, I don’t know what is.
Friends, I’m not there yet. But I hope I’m growing.
To celebrate my 53rd next week, I want to share with you what I learned last year:
God Never Leaves Me
Last year brought several challenges: a cancer scare, an international move, political unrest where I live, and the loss of my dearest spiritual “mom.” At each step, I heard God say this:
As I repeated these words over and over to myself, God did it. He strengthened and helped me.
Fun Can Change Your Life.
Deep, rip-snorting, side-splitting laughter does wonders for the soul. My daughter is my fun partner. We have spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, and we bend over laughing hysterically during our daily walk in the park. I just hope I keep listening to Shakira, Bob Dylan, Ed Sheeran, and Selena after she leaves home.
I DO Have Time for Instagram.
After years of saying I didn’t have time, I finally discovered how much fun Instagram is. I mean seriously, how can I not have time for a few more minutes of fun in my day? If you want to be Instagram friends, follow this link to find me.
I Never Want to Stop Learning.
I discovered how much I really do enjoy hanging out with younger people because they teach you things like Instagram, new words, and so much more coolness you’d miss out on otherwise.
If you keep learning, you keep growing, so I challenged myself to read at least one book a month this year. I learned more about writing and speaking from COMPEL training, started yoga with Adrienne, and tried cooking some new recipes. I’m currently experimenting with bullet journaling.
I Can Still Look Forward to the Future.
My 26 year old self had no way to know this, but life is not over at 53! Recently I challenged a younger woman to brainstorm things she could do to make her life better and more enjoyable. I thought I’d better practice what I preach, so I wrote mine out in my journal:
These are things I’m learning about the beauty of life at 53. Join me back next week for 5 more reasons we can be hopeful at any age.
Now it’s your turn: If you feel comfortable sharing your age, tell me how old you are and what’s something you’ve learned recently.
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I’m linking up with Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, Crystal Storms’ #HeartEncouragement, and Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
So much truth in this Betsy! Isn’t it funny to think about our perspective at 26? I’m also learning that I do have time for a little fun in my day:)
Glad you’re making time for that too, Kristine! I think it is a way to rest. 🙂 A fun way!
Love this. And you! I need to make room for a little more fun in my days…for sure! Blessings, my sweet friend and Happy early Birthday!
Thanks so much, Liz. I appreciate you, friend.
I’m always so encouraged when I come by your blog, Betsy! Today I happen to be stopping by from Kelly Balarie’s linkup.
I’m newly 42, and I was just talking with a friend about how 18 used to seem old, then it was 25, then the dreaded THIRTY! Honestly, though, I’ve never been more comfortable with my ministry and mission than I am right now – helping women who are waiting on God to restore their marriages. It hasn’t been a beautiful road that has brought me here – quite the opposite, in fact. But what I’ve learned is that even the ugliest of situations can be made beautiful when the Lord is in it!
Happy birthday!!
Hey Becky! What a wonderful testimony you have, friend! Congratulations on 42. That is lovely how you feel comfortable with life and ministry. I also felt like I had a much more focused sense of calling at age 42 than I had previously had.
If it’s true for 53, it must be true for 54! I’m thinking a lot about my age right now because I’ve got kids in transition: getting married, graduating from high school, having another baby . . .
Everything around me is changing, and I’m trusting God for resilience to be able to receive all the good and to be present for all the people in my life.
Looking forward to more tips next time!
Yes, Michele. It DOES sound like you have a lot of transition in life now. Praying now that God would hem you in behind and before and place His hand on you, be your rock of security. I have a graduating senior too. But no weddings or babies. 🙂
Well, I turned 53 last month so I can say to a youngster like yourself that it’s not that bad! 😀 Thanks for these insights, Betsy. There is still so much to learn and look forward to, no matter our age. I hope that the coming year is your best yet.
Oh Jeannie, thanks for giving a youngster like me 🙂 such encouragement! Yes, I hope it’s also YOUR best year yet!
A wonderful post, Betsy! Happy Birthday! No matter our age, may we never lose our ability nor waste a single opportunity to laugh, have fun, and enjoy life. Like you, I never want to stop learning and looking forward. I think it is the way we stay young 🙂 Blessings!
Yes, I think it’s the way to stay young myself, Joanne. (But then I think, “Stay young? Who am I kidding!” Hah! I feel young at heart, but I guess to twenty-somethings I seem ancient. 🙂 Blessings to you, Joanne. Here’s to enjoying life!
My Dear Friend Betsy!
I have learned at 64 (yes, 64) that life is precious, fun, sad, interesting and wonderful. As long as Jesus is with us, we can keep laughing and appreciating each birthday candle! See y’all in 2018!
Sue
Oh Sue, I can’t believe you’re 64! Glad you’re finding lie precious, fun, interesting, and wonderful. And yes sad happens too. But I’m not as glad about that. Let’s keep close to Jesus!
Beautiful post, Betsy! I love how you are embracing life, living out your #oneword for the year. I see Jesus in your posts each time I visit. I’m thrilled we can be Instagram friends as well. I enjoy that piece of social media too! You’ve brightened my day with your words again. May God continue to bless you today, on your birthday, and in the year ahead. Much love to you, friend!
Thanks so much, Julie. Love to you too, friend. I appreciate you and your joyous, vibrant spirit!
62 looms!
But I found 58 to be the hardest one to ‘celebrate.’ 60 seemed like the end of the line and it was in sight.
But it ‘s not the end of the line. Life is good and rich and filled with gratitude.
http://www.lindastoll.net/2016/08/in-which-i-pay-homage-to-women-of.html
60 is the new 40. Which means you’re maybe about 33 or so …
;-}
Happy Birthday, Girl!
I love everything about this. Life is fun at 57 too. I am finding this time of life is a beautiful blessing and I love it even more than when I was younger. Life is definitely not over when you reach your fifties and God has so much more for us.
My mission right now is to share with other women of every age that they have so much more to live for. As women we need to be encouraged in this journey called life. Happy almost birthday! What a treat to read your words and to hear your heart for celebrating YOU!
Great observations, Betsy—I can relate to them all!
Betsy, we are birthday twins, but I am 75 almost 76. I am not too old to learn new things and to be in service for Christ. I am learning how to have a healthier life. I have lost forty pounds and have at least forty more to lose.
Oh, I love, love, LOVE this – in so many ways. Your daughter has a gem in you, Betsy. And how fun you’re listening to her music. It’s 21 Pilots here. 😉 Keep up the good and godly work. And please keep sharing your wonderfully encouraging thoughts and posts with us. We can all use a smile from Betsy. <3 Love you, friend.
I’ve been 53 since October and it’s been a pretty wonderful year so far. 🙂 It really isn’t so bad, 53 is the new 30 in my book!
Happy Birthday, Betsy! (You, Ruthie, and I are living the same years!! Love that so much.) YES to new music and new words (or old words with new meanings … lol … SAME … how’s that?) I’m on the verge of trying Yoga. I can’t wait to check out your Bullet Journaling! You always find the coolest stuff!
I have a big birthday looming, it’s actually this Friday, and this might be the spark I needed to remind me having a beautiful life doesn’t come with age limits. Suffice it to say, I’ve got several years on you 😉
Oh happy birthday, Debby! May the Lord give you a great year, friend!
Add 13 years and I’m still singing, “Still crazy after all these years.” It is lovely that you visited me this morning at HHH and YES, we are IG friends (I checked!).
Glad I can be IG friends with you, Susan! And I love that: “Still crazy after all these years.” A good place to be, no? 🙂
I love this so much!!! (For all the reasons!) xoxo
Aww! Thanks Karrillee. Blessings to you!
I lost my Mom when she was 54, so I know each day should be celebrated. Life really is too short to not have fun, and I know Mom agreed!
Happy birthday, Betsy! Never stop dancing and enjoying life!
Thanks so much, Sarah! I’m sorry you lost your Mom when she was so young. Yes, each day should be celebrated. Yes to more dancing!
I so relate to all of this, Betsy! The laughter with daughters, vowing never to color my hair, yet now considering it, getting on IG (I’m taking the plunge soon) and staying well in ALL things. Happy birthday my friend!! As I look toward the big 50 this summer, I’ll look to your great example. Hugs and blessings wished over you!
Oh I hope your 50th is wonderful, Jill! Girl, get yourself on Instagram! As for hair dye, a few years I did all over, but now I just do low lights, leaving some natural hair with gray, so that the grow out doesn’t look so different, and I don’t have to do it as often…I call it low lights, but it’s probably about half my hair that ends up dyed.
Love this Betsy!! Happy (almost) 53rd. I so appreciate your fun-loving self and wisdom on enjoying the beauty of life! My best friend and I have a dance party planned soon, haha.
I’m 25. Something God pointed out to me recently is that I’m already living parts of my God-given dreams, they just aren’t what I looked like and have plenty of space to grow still! I suspect it’s true for many others too : )
Happy birthday, Betsy! I love your heart for Jesus and your joy for living life to the full (no matter the age). I’m 38 and have recently learned how much fun snapchat is. I avoided it at all cost when my kids first begged me to download the app. I didn’t get it…you take a pic, send it, then it goes away. But I broke down and put it on my phone anyway and, oh, how fun the filters are 🙂 If you like instagram, you’ll love snapchat.
Hey there Mandy! Thanks for stopping by here today! Yes, I may have to join my kids on snapchat. Thanks for that life tip! Glad you’re having fun with it. 🙂
I love this, Betsy! You are beautiful and 53 has brought much wisdom and grace that blesses us all. Thanks for inspiring and encouraging all of us to find more of Jesus – and more fun too!
You’re making me smile, Tiffany. We DO need more Jesus. And definitely more fun. 🙂
Life has many twists and turns that are unexpected but the fabulous news is that every day, God is there! In our pain or loneliness or unexpected changes; God is there.
I love having been involved in a culture that equates longevity with wisdom. I am 56 years wise. If I can keep growing in love, and in service to others I will be able to set aside the American Cultural idea that the old are irrelevant, and bask in the Burmese respect for elders and enjoy being elderly.
Such a biblical concept. It isn’t one that is perpetuated by our society but one that I live to embrace. As I know GOD longer, I have more Grace and Love to share.
Yes to more grace and love to share with others! Thanks so much for taking the time to write this beautiful comment, friend. I appreciate your wisdom!
I’m 35 and I’ve struggled with being this old for awhile now. Part of it is because I still feel 20 and part of it is because I remember thinking 35 was so old when my parents were that age. What I love about 35, though, is all the things I didn’t know when I was 20. I love how God is constantly teaching me and molding him more into the image of him. I can only imagine how much I will have learned by the age of 53! Blessings!
Hey there Rosanna! I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of your 35th year, not older, but BETTER! It only gets better, so hold on for the ride! 😉
What a great post, Betsy! I know what you mean about Instagram … it’s WAY more fun than I thought it would be when I joined to keep up with my daughter. 🙂 (I’m glad you and I could connect there this week too.) You’ve had quite a year … I hope this next one is a little calmer for you. I also hope your birthday celebration is filled with fun, love and lots of frosting!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Lois! So glad to see you on Instagram. Yes, I’m hoping for smoother sailing as well, but God goes before me into this year. No matter what happens, He’ll keep me! And you too, my friend!
Betsy – happy birthday in two days, friend! (or in one, in your time zone…) I remember thinking as a kid I wouldn’t live until age 20 – as it was just so unimaginable. Meanwhile, I turned 50 in September and I adore it. It’s all it’s cracked up to be and everyone told me it would be. As for hair, that’s an idea you have there… right now I’m trying to keep the delusion going that the increasing gray is actually intentional highlights, mixed with blond… … a few months back I had highlights done and they added lowlights, and my head ended up looking (to me) part orange, part green. Blond-gray’s not so bad, after all. Birthday blessings!
Hah! You’ve made me laugh about the part orange, part green! I do my low-lights myself and so far haven’t had any disasters, except for either a little too dark, or a little too much gray left. 🙂 Neither or disasters. That makes me smile that you adore being 50. BEAUTIFUL. Can I steal that phrase from you?
Of course!
Wonderful to discover your blog.
I was so low (though I attempted to keep this pretty much on the inside, only, and before the Lord) about turning 53 on the 7th. I was grateful, of course, considering the alternative (!) but…. Husband is ageing at ten years older, parents, or at least those that are still with us, are struggling and, you know, life continues to present serious challenges. However – I’ve just felt nothing but joy and gratitude since the actual birthday about this new season of ageing/growing (gracefully). Of course, it helps tremendously having a teen daughter at this time to dance in the kitchen with – ours is 17. This article was a boost before the big day, so thank you!
Oh I’m so glad to read this, Catherine. Sorry you were feeling low. May the Lord continue to bless you with great joy during this new season, as you get BETTER, not just older! 🙂 My daughter is 17 year old too!
I loved this post…all SO TRUE. And i popped over to Instagram to follow you 🙂 It’s a fun place to be.
I noticed that in your bullet journal that you put personal retreat days/self-care. You probably already know how to do retreats well, but I did want to share that I just shared a free 5-day email video series on Creating Your One-Woman Retreat!
http://middlemercies.com/why-you-need-a-retreat-plus-a-free-guide/
Have a lovely Monday!
I loved your post about how good life can be at 53. I have not been liking this getting older and the physical changes that come with it. I realized through your post I am concentrating way too much on what I don’t like instead of what is good about. I am going to try and have a mindset shift today.
Seventy-eight and going strong, most of the time. I lost my pastor husband 8 years ago and have been compelled to write a book of the incredible miracles God used in our lives to save, call, transform and use one ordinary farm boy to an extraordinary ministry.
To write has been amazing but the grueling work of building a platform (which is so necessary to the publishing process) is overwhelming me right now. My heart is to leave a legacy to my family and the many whose lives were transformed by his 33 years of ministry. Struggling now to create my website and start blogging. Oh, Jesus, help this 78 year old Jesus loving freak.
Blessings on your new ministry and book, Carol. May the Lord give you grace for each day. Glad to hear you are going strong, in His grace and with His strength!