I’m some years along and counted in children it would be five plus two. Counted in marriages - four. Divorces two and deaths two. Counted in trials and sorrows it would be a full and heavy handfull or more. But counted in miracles and experiences with the Lord whom I love it would be a wheelbarrow full, at least. I might be able to fill a whole barn. Were I to count my joys and blessings I would need to borrow my neighbor’s wheelbarrows and barns and still, they might not hold but would overflow. In fact, my cup runneth over. Not because I am without trials and tribulations. These are a continuous part of life, but because somehow someway, the Lord fills my cup with his graciousness and his gifts. He leads me by still waters and lets me drink from his crystal clear flowing waters. And so, my thirst is quenched over and again. We sort of coincide with each other. He is on his throne and I am below, on my knees. My arms are raised as I praise his holy name. He is my Savior.

Being some years along the child in me still asks questions. If they are not about him, they sound like this: How do you play the piano? What about a cello or an accordion? How do you paint with oils, acrylics and watercolors? How do you make things out of clay? How does rytmen work? How do you write music? How do you write poetry? What about novels and shortstories? What makes people laugh? How does one build things? How does one cross breeds of flowers? How do you speak other languages? How do you learn or teach other languages? What does silence sound like and where is it the quietest? What do other countries look like.. what do kitchens in other countries look like? What do they cook or how do they do it in other countries? I am always learning new things, or attempting to master new crafts.

So the riddle of time plays itself on me and in me. Though I am some years along and should not have the energy or strength to learn new things, I somehow can. But is this crazy? For even though new capabilities and knowledge might seem to be wasted on one this far along, I cannot resist giving it all a try. I’ve never had more to keep busy with (except during those baby-years) which has me hopping out of bed each day with a smile, eager to see what the day has in store for me. Each evening I thank the Lord for all the good that happened during the day and that he led me each step of the way. In fact, I think I just might be happy, too.