On My 50th Birthay: The 50 Fit Words That Shape My Life

“Except ye become as little children, except you can wake on your 50th birthday with the same forward-looking excitement and interest in life that you enjoyed when you were five, “ye cannot enter the kingdom of God.” One must not only die daily, but every day we must be born again.”

DOROTHY SAYERS

50 Years Old

I’ve been practicing. I told two friends on the phone, five people at the grocery store, and a few co-workers yesterday. But I wasn’t bragging. I was practicing. Because those three words—“fifty years old” —are a little hard for me to say. 

Zero to 50 went by in a flash.

But by the grace of God, I am what I am. And what I am today is 50 years old. 

So. 

Apples of Gold

I am, you know, a word lover. A scribbling, scrabbling, prose and poem, blog and book, podcast and read-aloud, spoken and written word lover. I love words. 

Words matter. They matter a lot. They matter so much that God sent his Word to save us (John 1:14, James 1:21). “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Meaning and hope and peace and joy come through words. 

Here are 50 “words” fitly spoken to me, by me, and to me by me. They are from God and my mom, from books and blogs. The words have shaped me over this half-century, gift-mist of a life. They go deep to the roots of me. They have been powerful, beautiful words. 

50 Fitly Spoken Words

Like apples of gold in settings of silver are words is a word fitly spoken. —Psalm 25:11

1. Love God.
2. Fear God.
3. Obey God.
4. Praise God.
5. Don’t let mixed motives stop you from doing a good thing.
6. Better late than never. 
7. He who forgives first wins the laurel. 
8. You do not know if it will grow, but you will not reap if you do not sow. 
9. ‘Tis the gift to be simple… ‘tis the gift to come down to where you ought to be. 
10. To have a friend, be one. 
11. Laugh at yourself. Make friends who make you laugh. 
12. Put the big rocks in first. Bible before screen every day.
13. If you think a kind thought about someone, tell him. 
14. If you think you should apologize, do it. 
15. Something is better than nothing.
16. Better late than never.  
17. Appetite comes by eating. When you don’t feel like reading the Bible is when you must.
18. Keep your word to your own hurt. Broken words hurt more. 
19. Believe that God is working in the no as much as in the yes. He guides the humble. 
20. Suffering is God’s sheepdog pushing you to him. He is the Good Shepherd. 
21. Receive hardship as love. God is treating you as sons. He disciplines those he loves.
22. A walk into the sunset puts it all in perspective. 
23. Read good books—an old book for every new one. 
24. Discuss good (old) books with good friends. 
25. Stay in your own lane. 
26. Do the DIGLI (rhymes with piggly). Delight in God’s lavish inequality. 
27. Giving thanks trumps grumps. Ride the thankful horse.
28. Thank God for five things before you roll out of bed every morning. 
29. Keep the clock out of sight when you wake up in the middle of the night. 
30. Go bold, provided you’re willing to take no. Jesus said, “Ask.” And keep asking.
31. Eat your salad first. Then enjoy real butter, heavy cream, and sharp cheese. 
32. Forgiveness isn’t one and done. Repeat whenever you feel resentment.  
33. Take up and read. And keep reading. God’s word is alive and it is life. 
34. Make your bed every day. Even if it’s a minute before you get in it. 
35. Thoughts boss feelings. 
36. If you don’t feel like smiling at a certain someone – smile at him.
37. If you’re telling yourself why you shouldn’t apologize to her – apologize to her.
38. If you resent someone—pray for him. 
39. Repentance is a way of life. We’re not done until we see Jesus face to face. 
40. No phones in bedrooms. 
41. Don’t ever compare your imaginary life with your present reality. 
42. What counts is faith expressing itself in love. 
43. Re-learn to distract yourself. Whatever is true. Things above. Up. 
44. Deep wounds need sunshine and air to heal. Scabs stop healing. 
45. And also, the less said, the quicker mended. 
46. A gift not turned to praise, turns to pride. 
47. Assume the best.
48. Smile. It’s a free wonder drug. A cheerful heart is good medicine.
49. Solvitur ambulando. It is solved by walking. Trust me. 
50. Know God. He made you. He knows you. He loves you.

There you are. That’s my 50—the 50 fit words that brought me safe thus far.

And you already know what will lead us home.

What apples of gold—what fitly spoken words— top your list? I would love to hear.

So in this perilous grace of God
With all my sins go I:
And things grow new though I grow old,
Though I grow old and die.

From “A Second Childhood” by G.K. Chesterton

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