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Midlife?? What is that about?


David and I were talking about our lives last night.   Right now we are feeling pretty tired.  Truthfully, we have been overwhelmed, re-evaluating our life's purpose and the next steps of our life.  

I said, "Well maybe we are getting to that mid-life phase."  So we looked up some information and SHOCKER...We are considered mid-lifers.  When did this happen?  
Are you serious?  
 Us?

We were the nontraditional (nice way of saying it) Bible college students.  After a few months we jumped into marriage knowing that we were who God wanted for each other so "let's just do it." (We would NOT recommend our timeline.)  

With a brand new baby boy and in spite of the terrifying  suffocating fear of failure -we moved to take a $75 a week ministry position with $260 student loan payments.

Change was scary but we had the courage to make it.  We never felt like life was happening to us but rather kept our belief that we were happening to life.  

We have been bi-vocational pastors for 21 years always willing to learn new skills and try something new.  Always taking classes and stretching ourselves.

So what in the world is different about now?  Nothing!  The same couple who clung to God and each other and then jumped off the cliff... are still here.  

O.k. babe.  Here we go.  Let's turn off the TV again, pick up our Bible, our books, buy our hiking shoes and a camper (or tent) and spend some wonderful Friday nights this summer dreaming about the next 40 years!


According to an article by Karen Knott "What may feel like a crisis, is in fact, an inevitable and natural life stage characterized by internal change and reorientation.  

Change is always difficult and yes you may well experience vulnerability, uncertainty and discomfort, but each symptom also offers an opportunity for challenge, excitement and growth in preparation for the next new chapter in your life."

Want to read more?  Check out "Mid Life Crisis-Top 10 Symptoms" by Karen Knott.
 
10. Wanting to make some changes but not know where to begin.
Feeling overwhelmed saps your power and keeps you stuck, helpless and fearful of making the 'wrong' choices. The way to move out of the paralysis is to stop 'getting ready' and start 'doing'. Take responsibility for making change happen, no matter how small and remind yourself how good it feels to be in control.
If you've experienced any of these symptoms, then you could be forgiven for thinking you were indeed in some sort of crisis. 
.  © Karen Knott Midlife Matters 2008




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