I once heard John Maxwell give a podcast about the second half of life. He talked about the importance of preparing for what might be some of most important contributions we may give to society.
Our family recently visited the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the famous writer of the Little House on the Prairie books. We toured the home where she wrote the books. I was fascinated to learn that Laura didn’t begin writing those stories until the age of 63. She became a famous writer and didn’t even begin the project until her sixties.
My cousin gave a copy of The Wizard of Oz to my daughter. We have enjoyed reading that series. As I read about the author, Frank Baum, I was surprised to note that he had many different jobs and careers before writing the Wizard of Oz as he was nearing his fifties. He died at the age of 63.
In both of these cases, they were faithful in small things. Laura wrote an article each week for the local paper for years. Frank worked for a magazine company. Both did the small things, which led them to the wildly successful books they wrote later.
I also just happened to read a biography about Mister Fred Rogers, known for his tv show that influenced millions of children. Though he was involved in a variety of jobs, it wasn’t until he was over 40 years of age that the humble beginnings of his show took root. It became a decades long run that changed America.
If you are in your “second half” who knows what may await? All that you have done up to this point may have prepared for you for the greatest achievement yet.
If you are in your “first half” be faithful in the little things. The experiences you are having now – both good and bad – may be the needed catalyst to something great in the future.
This morning, I’m reflecting on a verse from scripture: Zechariah 4:10 – Don’t despise the days of small beginnings. What might the Lord be doing in you?
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