Suzanne Schaffer

Too often I hear Christians use the phrase, "God told me," followed by something they desire.

"God told me that house is supposed to be mine."
"God told me I'm going to have twins."
"God told me I should join this multi-level marketing work-from-home job."

And so on.

What they don't say is that it's their desire to have that house (that they can't afford). They want twins. They want a job that promises easy income. 

Yet the house is sold to someone else. A single baby is born. The work-at-home job turns into much more work than thought (and they quit and jump into the next one).

In planning for my daughter's tenth birthday party we invited a handful of her friends, just the girls she was closest to, for a day of shopping with limo transportation. One mother was upset because her daughter's best friend wasn't on the invite list. She asked me to invite Mallory, saying that Jesus told her I should and when I would not she told …

A year ago I entered into the last year of my forties deciding to celebrate fifty by doing something new every month. It had to be something new to me. I called it my 12 Before 50 list. 

August

August was simple. We were going on a cruise to Alaska. I probably did enough new things on this trip to cover more than twelve. It was fun, but we learned I get seasick. I actually hugged the ground when we docked for the first time. Stepping off of the ship, I instantly felt relief. 





September

September brought an opportunity I'd missed the past few years. My friend, Sharon, has made it her goal to climb a tree on every continent. That in itself is a great goal, but factor in that she's a breast cancer survivor and you'll see what she's made of. 

I made sure I didn't miss my opportunity to climb a tree with Sharon. 


October

October gave me the chance to do something I'd wanted to do for years. To get a tattoo.