.
The older I get, the more I realize how much of life is spent trying to control things that were never mine to control.
I cannot control what other people think of me.
I cannot control whether someone understands my intentions.
I cannot control the choices other people make, even when those choices affect me.
I cannot control yesterday. I cannot undo mistakes, recover every lost opportunity, repair every broken relationship, or reclaim the time already spent.
I cannot control the economy, the market, technology, changing circumstances, unexpected expenses, illness, aging, or how quickly life can turn in a direction I did not anticipate.
I cannot control whether people stay.
I cannot control whether people forgive.
I cannot control whether someone I trust disappoints me.
I cannot control every outcome of my work, no matter how carefully I plan, engineer, calculate, or prepare.
And perhaps the hardest lesson for someone who has spent a lifetime solving problems is this:
Some things cannot be fixed.
At 68, that is becoming less frightening and more freeing.
Because there are still things I can control.
I can tell the truth.
I can admit when I am wrong.
I can make the next responsible decision.
I can keep my word.
I can apologize.
I can forgive.
I can treat people with kindness even when circumstances are difficult.
I can use whatever strength, knowledge, experience, and resources I still have to help somebody else.
I can choose whether disappointment makes me bitter or wiser.
I can decide what kind of man I will be when things do not go according to plan.
And I can pray.
Perhaps faith has never really been about gaining control of life. Perhaps it is learning to trust the One who already has it.
Jesus never promised that we would understand every turn in the road. He simply continued saying, in one form or another, “Follow Me.”
At 68, maybe that is enough.
I do not need to know how everything turns out.
I need enough grace for today, enough wisdom for the next decision, enough humility to admit what I cannot control, and enough faith to keep walking.
There are things behind me that I would change if I could.
There are things ahead of me that I cannot see.
But there is still today.
And today is still a gift.
“The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me.” — Psalm 138:8
#Reflection #LifeAt68 #Faith #Grace #TrustGod #Perspective #Wisdom #KeepWalking #Jesus
