Why Thank you- A Mid Life Crisis!

By Guest Contributor, Lauren Caldwell

With my two kids back at school- and my son in his final, senior year- there is a feeling I have of being….blank. I have just turned the page, in the book of my life, only to discover that I need to write what’s coming next. I’m in a critical zone of potential change. This all makes me think that I’m about to have a wonderful midlife crisis.

Now wait, this is good. Here’s why.

Everyone thinks “crisis” means catastrophe. But did you know that according to the Free Dictionary, the first definition of crisis has to do with something possibly positive?

cri·sis A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.

A crisis CAN be an unstable time, it can be an emotionally stressful event. But it also can be a crucial turning point in your life. That’s why having a crisis- a turning point- can be a really good thing. For some of us, it’s about time things turn around- for good!

It’s a waste to keep on having crises and have no resolution of mind concerning what you will do differently next time. It’s a waste to go through a draining series of catastrophes and not decide to throw off an overcoat of fear that still did not protect you from a rain of trouble.

I can play it safe, and still not get a chance to play hard in the game of life. Or I could go out on the field, run hard, pull a muscle or even break a leg, and get taken off the field on a stretcher with a grimace of pain on my face and a blazing heart thumping in my chest- thinking, “I LIVED.”

Mid Life Crises can be traumatic and embarrassing- if choices are made foolishly, desires not dealt with soberly, expectations not dealt with under the light of grace and truth. But a mid life turning point is a time of second wind, and most of all, a better run in your second half because you know why you’re running the race. And HOW to run, now.

THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith.” (Heb 12:1,2)

For me, stripping off anything that didn’t serve me well in my first half of life makes sense. Every encumbrance, every habit or aspect of mindset that binds, constricts, and keeps me running-in place- has got to go. I have a life I have got to live. I cannot live an encumbered life or I won’t live out the dreams God has placed in my heart. I will not be able to progress and grow bolder as I reach out for Him and for all He has for my life if I am constrained by fear or held back by old doubts or worries.

I can see that my kids are also wondering who Mom is becoming- and that’s good! Life is not boring here at our house. There are thoughts and plans and dreams to be contemplated and then acted upon. There are colleges to check out- for my son, and sports to play- for both kids, and houses to build again- for my husband.
But for me, there is mostly a throwing off of every weight that hinders me. Do you know the weights you want to throw off? Even if you’re not at mid life, it’s never too late or too early to have a crucial turning point in your life- for the good.

I’m too old now to be encumbered. And I’m too young to slow down in the race. I’m looking at the Author and Finisher of my Faith…and I get a second wind. It’s a turning point that others may call a crisis- and I’m thankful for it.