Dear 52-year-old Me,

Wow! Fifty-two years old… that seems SO far away, and yet 32 feels like just yesterday.

Before I can think ahead, I need to take a very quick glance back. Remember your thirties Leah. Don’t dwell there. Those were the years of HARD…actually the years of IMPOSSIBLE. Those were the days when you couldn’t believe that life had dealt you that particular hand of cards.

You were divorced AND widowed within that decade. You never saw either of those life events coming. And yet…when they did…you thought you would never survive that kind of pain. But you did TWICE! Each event brought its own version of pain, but you not only survived…you thrived, dear one! But…never forget how!

It was Him…your first Love! He is the only reason you survived. He was the One who made you and hand-crafted you into the woman that you’re becoming. It was Abba who carried you…your loving Daddy who has been with you through each step of life’s “impossibilities”. Jehovah Jireh has met and continues to meet all your needs. It was El Roi, the God who saw you then and caught every tear…who sees you now (in 2024), guides your daily steps…and sees you even a decade from now in 2034, preparing you for His incredible plans!

You know first-hand how God took a lonely widow, single parent of an equally lonely young girl, and grew your family into what it is now.

Amy is now 34 – a beautiful wife to Wes and incredible mother to her babies! Remember her in 2014, preparing for Micah’s arrival? We couldn’t wait to see grandbaby number two that year!

 

Justin is 32 – an incredible man after your own heart. Ten years ago, he was faithfully serving our country in the Air Force and trying to figure out his “next steps”. You’ve enjoyed watching that process, but you know God has even more incredible things prepared for him in the days ahead.

Caleb is 28.  It’s hard to believe you met him when he was 16 years old. Remember when he got his driver’s license for the first time? Wow…those days flew by so quickly. Caleb’s work ethic hasn’t changed, however. He’s just as motivated now as he was playing basketball in 2014 and working those long hours at Brahms!

Anna, my dear, you are now 27. You’ve traveled the years with me the most. I stand amazed at how God has used your own life’s tragedies and turned them into beautiful nuggets of gold for His glory! Your compassion for the least of these has only grown further through the years.

Aaron – I can’t believe you are already 23. You were such a young, innocent “young man in the making” when I first laid eyes on you. You were always so loving towards me when I entered your family, and I’ll never forget that. Even now, you are still very “other-focused” and tenderhearted to those that God puts in your path.

My other children…I know there are more…writing this in 2014, I don’t know the specifics, but I know God has already planted you in my heart. Maybe you’ll be the ones we’ve fostered or adopted. Perhaps you’ll be children we’ve simply had the pleasure of sharing life in some other capacity, but God knows you by name, and by 2024 I will too.

My precious prince Joel! We’ve traveled these years together well. We’ve picked each other up when we’ve fallen…we’ve wiped each other’s tears…we’ve laughed at our goofiness…and smiled when the kids have filled our hearts with joy. We’ve watched God do things that seemed impossible, and we are more in love today than the day we first said those three words to each other. If the Lord should allow…I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries together. You will always be…my prince! I love you, sweetheart!

Leah, take in every breath God gives you, and exhale love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness to those He places in your circle of influence. May you exhibit gratitude for these 52 years that He’s blessed you with. May you anticipate even greater blessings in the remaining years of your earthly life. And…may you continue to look forward to, with hope-filled anticipation and excitement, the day He calls you home!