Thursday, February 17, 2011

SENIOR MOMENTS

OK, so…senior moments.

Used to be "few and far between." Now, they’re a regular, daily occurrence.

Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.

Some days are better than others. I would tell you about them, but I don’t remember them! But I DO have a story about a particularly acute "senior moment" day –

It happened a couple of weeks ago – I think…

A Monday – not the best day of the week for "rapid-firing brain cells." Mondays are not my friends. Weekend lethargy does its best to place me in a bit of a brain stupor – and I’m just not quite awake until…oh golly…maybe Wednesday.

However, this particular Monday, though groggy, I realized that I had neglected to do the bank balancing for awhile.

I have a system for this – it’s rather ingenious, I think – I write down every ATM purchase, every credit transaction, every check, every automatic payment, in this little stenographer’s notebook I have. It’s really helped me keep track of spending. Used to be that when I checked the balance in our account, I was shocked. "Where did all the money go?"

Well, now I know.

So, "balancing" is just a matter of checking off items that have cleared the bank, factoring in outstanding amounts, and reconciling my balance with the bank’s.

I usually do this about once a week.

Except that since about November, the speed at which the Earth orbits the Sun has increased. At least that’s MY explanation for why time is going SO MUCH FASTER lately!!

Bank balancing had not been done for about a month.

Not a problem. I have a little "running total" that I keep in my head – and I’m usually pretty right on. So, I’m not in any danger of bouncing any checks. OK, balancing done. I might as well attend to the bills…

I’m leafing through the bills – wait a second…

Why do I have two copies of my property tax bill?

OH NO.

Yup, the first installment should have been paid by December 10 – LAST YEAR!

Total oversight. Total "senior moment."

Called up, paid the bill, (with the lovely late fees added in) – what a dummy I am.

OK, bank balancing done, bills paid – Check.

Decided to treat myself by going and reading my new emails. That should be fun. Oh, here’s one from the Women’s Ministries Director at the church where I attend Bible Study.

"Dear Sharon, We’re so glad to have you join us for Bible Study! I got your check for the registration fees, and the study book. Would you mind just stopping by the check-in table and signing it for me? That would be great!"

Uh huh – wrote a check, didn’t sign it.

Total oversight. Total "senior moment."

Later that evening, exhausted, I tumbled in next to "The Hub" at about 11:00 PM. He mumbled a sleepy good-night. I sighed a big sigh, turned on my side, and made a mental note to stop by and sign my check – right after I drop off my fruit for snack…

THE FRUIT!!

Oh no!! I bolted upright. "The Hub" bolted upright.

"What’s wrong?"

"I forgot the fruit for tomorrow."

"Do you need it?"

"Yes. I’m one of only three ladies bringing fruit for over 60 women!"

So, we started rummaging through the phone book to find a market still open. We did. And my precious husband and I bundled ourselves up, and went to buy fruit. He even helped me cut it up when we returned home.

We were back in bed – for good – about midnight.

"Is there anything else you’ve forgotten?" my husband thoughtfully said. (It’s a credit to him that there wasn’t even an OUNCE of sarcasm in this statement…)

"No," I sighed. "I think 3 for 3 is good enough for today."

Senior moments – forgetting.

It happens.

And most of the time, we can laugh at our mistakes.

But, there are certain things that I don’t EVER want to forget.

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins…He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things…the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him." (Psalm 103)

"Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done…Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds…Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given…Remember his covenant forever – the commitment he made to a thousand generations." (1 Chronicles 16)

Yeah, THAT'S worth remembering!!


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

17 comments:

  1. Even though our God is the "Ancient of Days" I am glad He never has a senior moment and forgets where He put me. From one hubby to another glad he "banked" some hubby points - midnight markets, should be against the law. :}

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  2. I too am so thankful God never forgets me and as someone said "oops" is not part of God's vocabulary. He knows everything that is going on even before we do and he is totally in control; comforting, isn't it?

    Loved all your senior moments, I can so relate. I've come to write lists for the grocery store. But they do say with age comes wisdom, so that's a good thing indeed!!

    (as long as we have wisdom to keep our eyes on Jesus :)

    sunny and bright here today!

    enjoy the day and Bible study; I'm sure it is a great study!

    betty

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  3. Blessings Sharon... oops 7 posts behind, but I have not forgotten YOU or the "checks and balance" system of blogging! 3 out of 3 that's a perfect score anyways. Especially when your conclusion is with "Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever". Great conclusion always is found in God's Word!

    Isn't it too soon for senior moments? I think I recall that you are just starting life anew in this last decade so glad that your hubs is so supportive and helpful(no sarcasm just carving sleep)!

    You have such a creative and clever spirit in your writing! Always honest and Godly directed!

    I was impressed that Gregg noted the "Ancient of Days" as you had wrote this which left an impression on me to In what ways does God's designation as the "Ancient of Days" encourage you?:
    "I love that! Because it reminds me that God has stood forever - like a great stone monument - His Sovereignty ruling over time immemorial. It gives me the same little spiritual goosebumps as this in Revelation - the One who was, and is, and is to come."

    Your words ~ my feeling also with goosebumps spiritually as I read the same.

    So how did you remember this from back then? That's November, December, catching up with you in January...hitting you hard. But it's February now, so GIVE THANKS...and LET'S PRAISE... it all turned out well, right?

    Recuperating from being physically ill since the weekend and totally wiped out by Tues. on the pick up today, I pray... restoring my bod a bit,
    thanks for keeping up with the study questions.

    Love, peace, JOY and better memory young one,
    Peggy

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  4. I have never read Psalm 103 and thought of it in that way....or maybe I DID, but forgot!
    "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me"...
    I love this....now I will look for a photo opportunity to illustrate it!
    I don't know how you do it...such fresh insightful posts each time!

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  5. So what do they call it when people in their 20's and 30's forget things? Or even, teens. Sigh...

    It is so fun to read your blog. You write like you talk. (Like I know how you talk). Well, I bet your husband would agree! BTW - he sounds like a great guy...and you are wonderful for acknowledging him!

    You take care!
    Shay :)

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  6. Here's a fun study to do for yourself on the topic: Look up every time the concept of "remembering" is done with our LORD as the subject of the sentence doing the remembering.

    You'll discover something.

    Oh never mind. I'll just tell you. Every time God remembers, he acts. The biblical concept of remembrance always carried with it the implication to DO something with the remembrance.

    Do you like that? Yeah... I knew you would.

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  7. Hi Sharon -

    Cheers to you, and cheers to your loving husband who joined you in fulfilling a commitment.

    Particularly, I love this that you expressed,

    "Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done…Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds…Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given…Remember his covenant forever – the commitment he made..."

    Ah! The moments...

    Now let's see - what other moments?...

    You mentioned senior moments...

    What about Jr. moments when we don't know better and years later, for instance, look back and say, "I can't believe that I wore something like that!"

    What about the moments when people get on the stand in courtrooms and repeatedly say, "I can't recall." Did they really forget? Hmmm

    What about the love struck moments when we gave our hearts to the wrong people? What was that about? Foolish moments...bone head moments...inexperienced moments? Hmmm

    How many moments are there in a day? Hmmm

    Hallelujah! My heart swells with gratitude when I remember that GOD never forgets or has "lapse" moments.

    Except He does NOT remember...

    Jeremiah 31:34 - KJV
    "...I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

    Wow! Such moments are SUPREME moments indeed.

    Thank you, Almighty GOD!!!


    Sidebar: I'm on my way now to post 7 UPS QUIZUPS #11.

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  8. I really enjoy your writing, Sharon...and I can totally relate to senior moments...

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  9. Great post! I have a lot of senior moments myself these days. You turn 50 and start to fall apart! I'm so very thankful God forgets what he does but doesn't forget ME!

    PS I KNEW Debbie would tell you the remember and act stuff. It's one of the few Sunday School lessons she's taught that I actually do "remember". How sad because ALL of her lessons are simply wonderful. Old age...just sayin;.

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  10. This is great! Thanks for putting a smile on my face! I love how you tied it up at the end.

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  11. Gregg - You made me chuckle! I am also so glad that God has never forgotten where He put me - especially when I'm the one who went wandering! Yes, I am banking the "hubby points" - he deserves them. The remark about midnight markets being outlawed - hmmm... :)

    Betty - I like that!! God never says, "Oops!" It is such a comfort to know that God is in total control - now if my worrisome nature could just REST in that fact! Working on it. Yes, I also write lists for everything now. Hate it when I misplace the lists, though! Wisdom only comes from God - and I think maybe as I get older, I'm realizing how true that is! (Weather is weird here, too - right now it's raining steadily...)

    Peggy - Hello! I've missed you! Sorry to hear that you've been sick. Will be praying that each day brings you new strength. OK, maybe at 56 years old I should call them "pre-senior moments!" But, they frustrate me nonetheless. This little incident actually happened just a little over a week ago - however, it did take me since November to find out that I'd forgotten the property tax! Fortunately, I remember the stuff that's REALLY important - like Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (don't you just love that verse?!)

    Anita - I can't wait to see a photo to go with Psalm 103!! I am always so inspired by your photography. It really speaks to my soul. It's really quite amazing how often we are exhorted in Scripture to remember - it is in looking back on God's faithfulness in the past, that gives us sure hope for the future. (I tease my husband - that he is a lizard - and that's why he's such a sun worshiper!)

    Shay - Forgetfulness in the teens, 20's, and 30's? I'd call it foolishness! Coming from another person who I think is quite funny (you!) - it's a real compliment that you enjoy reading my blog. My friends tell me that I actually do write like I talk - is that a good thing or a bad thing? Hmmm...

    Debbie - Oh yes, I DO just love that!! Snaps and spiritual jazz hands! That is a pretty exciting thing. And it convicts me that I must also accompany my remembering with action. As I said to Anita above, it is the remembering of God's faithfulness that gives me the strength and confidence to forge ahead. If I could only truly REMEMBER that in practice - that I can trust God NOW because of what He has done in the past. Maybe I wouldn't be so afraid to walk into the waters of the Red Sea...

    Keep reading - more to follow!

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  12. Sandra - I loved the other "moments" that you shared. Yes, I've had my share of them, too (way too many). I share with you the gratitude and praise that God never forgets me - but He never remembers my sins. He is truly the ALMIGHTY God! (I'll be over soon - and this time I won't forget 7 ups!)

    Karen - Oh, thank you for such a kind comment. Sorry that you get the "senior moments" thing - but I'm sorta happy for the camaraderie of others who have them! What's that old saying? Misery loves company! I guess it's just one of those things - Hallelujah, anyhow!!

    Denise - Yes, after 50 it does start to fall apart. Should we tell Debbie or just let her have this year of blissful ignorance?? I loved the remember and act thing that Debbie shared. (Of course you knew she'd share it - and I'll just bet you knew I'd love it - are we becoming THAT predictable?) Yes, I would echo your sentiments - so glad that God forgets what needs forgetting, and yet always remembers His own!

    Alisa - I just love making people smile! I'm not above sharing some of my foibles for a little chance at humor! I'm glad you liked the "finish line" - I guess that's what really counts. I might have moments of forgetting some of the incidental things of this life - but I will NEVER forget the eternal Truth that God loves me, Jesus saved me, and I am always remembered in the Book of Life.

    GOD BLESS - and don't forget...I appreciate every single one of you!!

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  13. Three for three - at least your batting 1000. :)

    Yes, I can relate to those senior moments. Love the way you ended the post - I agree, I never want to forget His goodnes, grace, and mercy.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  14. Joan - You bet!! And I suppose that's what it's all about, huh? How I ended the day - remembering God's goodness, grace, and mercy. That is something that I'll never forget - and just in case I might, His mercies are new each morning!

    GOD BLESS!

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  15. Oh this made me smile. And I blame my senior moments on three sidekicks. By the time they're old enough not to be blamed, I can use the "senior" excuse. Your Hub is absolutely fantastic. What a catch.

    How hard it is to remember. We saw it time and time again among God's chosen people. They forgot even *while* he was delivering them. I think it's crazy that all God requires from us is obedience. It just *sounds* so easy and yet it seems impossible.

    I'll end on this - "I thank my God every time I remember *you*." ~Philipians 1:3

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  16. Jennie - Yes, sidekicks do have a way of distracting otherwise razor-sharp minds!! Yes, "The Hub" is a real keeper - did you read our love story on Monday? It's kinda cute...

    Obedience - yes, sounds good on paper, huh? I'm afraid that I'm all too often critical of the Israelites - thinking that I would be different. No, not really. Still learning...

    And what a sweet way to end - awwww...*you* too!!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)