I turned 59 two days ago. It is hard to believe that I am that old. In my mind, I am still in my twenties. I still love to do silly things. I love being spontaneous. I love going on adventures. I love listening to the music of my youth. I still have dreams and aspirations. I still want to do so many things. I can get kind of freaked out when I dwell on my age because I am definitely closer to the end of life than the beginning.

I was reminded recently—while studying the story of Abraham and Sarah—that good things can still happen when you are old. So, hopefully this post will be an encouragement to those of you out there that are in the same age category that I am in. I have known this story for a long time, but God always manages to show me new things whenever I study.

To refresh your memory or if you are hearing about this story for the first time, it begins in Genesis 17. Abraham was 100 years old and his wife, Sarah, was 90 years old. They thought their child bearing years had come and gone. Abraham is told by God that they were going to have a child. Abraham then falls face down and laughs. He also says to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a 100 years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of 90?”(verse 17) God goes on to tell Abraham that He was going to establish an everlasting covenant with his son. God even tells him to name him Isaac.

Then we go to Chapter 18 of Genesis, when three visitors come to visit Abraham. Sarah is listening at the entrance of the tent and hears that she is going to have a child. Sarah, thinking that she was way beyond capable of getting pregnant and having a child, laughed. She thinks to herself, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”(verse 12) (If I were told at the age of 90 I was going to have a child, I would do more than laugh!)

Then God asks Abraham why Sarah laughed and says, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” (God knew she was listening at the door!) God goes on to tell Abraham that He would return next year and Sarah would have a son.

There is a reason why I have to share this story. When God impressed on my heart that I needed to write a blog, I laughed. I told him there was no way I could do it. I didn’t feel like anyone wanted to hear what I had to say. I still have to remind myself that this is what He has called me to do. I want all of you out there that are getting older or are in impossible situations to know that God can do the impossible. (Even when we think He can’t.) There are tons of stories in the Bible that prove that theory! There are also tons of stories from people we know that prove that theory. I want to encourage you to believe that God can do the impossible in our lives. He has done it many times in mine.

This story hits home to me because I still want to do so much for the Lord. There are still so many dreams that seem unattainable to me. I want to write a book or a devotional. I want to help people with my story and what God is teaching me. I want to move out of my comfort zone. But, I don’t see how that is going to happen. I can’t see how I am going to do it. But, God has put that desire in my heart and I am going to trust Him to do what seems impossible to me. (I am way out of my comfort zone sharing this with you.)

I have shared my dreams and had someone laugh at me. It hurt. But, it also fueled a passion deep within me. I have also gone through phases of giving up. I have asked many questions of the Lord. Lots of whys, when, where, how and what? I have begged and pleaded. But, I know that sometimes He answers and sometimes He is just waiting. (That’s the hard part!) I just want to tap my watch and say, “You know I’m not getting any younger, Lord. We need to get moving here!” But He just wants me to trust. And, that is exactly what Abraham did. He trusted. He trusted God to come through on His promises.

Thank goodness God is patient with our questions and our doubts. Exodus 34:6-7 “ Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin.” He is nothing like any human being we know. He is perfect and good. He does no evil. He listens and He cares. What bothers us, bothers Him. He rejoices over us! How often do you see someone rejoicing over you? (I love picturing Him doing that!)

I want to go back to the Abraham and Sarah story one more time. There is one more gem to mention. I learned about this from the Beth Moore study called “The Quest.” God confronted Sarah about laughing at the entrance to the tent. She tried to deny the fact that she laughed, but God knew she did. He confronted her and she was afraid to admit the truth. I am assuming she thought she was going to be in trouble. God confronted her, but didn’t condemn her. I think that is quite interesting. How many times have you or I been afraid to admit the truth because we thought we would get into trouble? I know I have many, many times.

Sarah states in Genesis 21:6 “God has brought me laughter and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” God told Abraham the child was to be called Isaac, which just so happens to mean “he laughed.” Do you think there is a concept that God wanted them to learn? Every single time they said Isaac’s name they were reminded that they laughed at God when He told them they were going to have a child.

When I look back at the things that God has done, I smile. I laugh. It brings me so much joy. At the time, I thought there was no way in the world things were going to work out. I laughed at the mere suggestion of Him asking me to do something that was different or hard. I remember shaking my head several times over things he asked me to do. “Really, Lord. You want me to do ________? I can’t do that. There is no way this is going to happen or work out. I just can’t.” He has been so patient with me. He has loved me and waited for me to come around.

I am writing this post as much for me as I am for you. I need to be reminded and encouraged that God is not through with me yet. There are things He wants me to do and I want to do them. You know what really makes me smile? Time with Him. Watching Him work. Learning and listening to Him. I love Him so much! I just want more and more of Him. I want to laugh with Him and see His face smile down on me.

I hope I am an encouragement to you. God isn’t finished with us yet! There are still things to do! God is working and I want to be part of that work. Thank you for reading my post. Keep believing this verse. Genesis 18:14 “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” Give Him your impossible situations. I know how hard it is, but I wouldn’t want anyone else in charge of my life!

Until next time….