by Susan Chamberlain Shipe

It’s that time of year I get pensive, inward, quiet, reflective, meditative, and a bit disgruntled…

Years ago this was my favorite week of the year – my happy birthday week – but when the fives became sixes, I didn’t like it so much!

My friend and I were talking yesterday–and because our birthdays are one day apart–we were discussing numbers (sounds better than ages!). He said, “Wouldn’t you like to be 30 again and know what you know now?”

My reply was quick and sure, “Absolutely not!”

THAT very question was posed to me a few years ago: “If you could freeze time for a span of several years, at what age would you freeze it?” My answer was 55. That was a good season; I felt great. The scale hadn’t started its upward climb. I had lots of energy. I was able to do most things.

This morning I turned to the one place I can count on to give me hope and truth, God’s Word. Allow me to share some good “aging” Scriptures.

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90.12

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9.10

Happy is the man (person) who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. Proverbs 3.13-18

One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145.4

I am going to take the counsel of Psalm 90:12 and number (consider and appreciate) my days in order for me to gain a heart of wisdom because the Word is clear: Wisdom brings length of days, riches, honor, pleasantness, peace, and happiness. What more can I ask for on my birthday?

[This post originally appeared on HopeHeartHome.com.]

Susan Chamberlain Shipe has been a writer since the age of eight when she and her neighborhood friend wrote, edited, published, and distributed The Manor News. Things have changed since publishing with the five and dime stamp lettering set! Today, Susan enjoys blogging and writing short devotions and short stories from her empty-nest home in the Appalachian Mountain Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern North Carolina, which she shares with her husband of thirty-plus years, Lowell, and their beloved dog, Sam. Susan can be found musing several times a week at hopehearthome.com.

Photo by Jean Lakosnyk on Unsplash