If You Only Knew

By Melisa Zimmerman

LIFE IS A FUNNY THING

When you get to be of a certain age, you begin to think about what people will remember about you when you are no longer around. I must be of a certain age because seriously, that thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion. It is that thought along with all the young women I meet who are struggling to find their role in life and their purpose for living that is more than being a mom or a wife. All of these are great reasons enough to consider yourself great. This book is being birthed for these reasons. "If You Only Knew," takes you on a journey to treasures that have been discovered through years of living life, encountering amazing people, and listening to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. ENJOY!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bridge Builder Marriage Ministry
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9780999376447

Book preview

Preface

Life is a funny thing. The episodes each of us go through are unique and all too often the same. When you listen to people tell their stories, several things happen. Maybe you are engrossed in their stories. Perhaps you see their life as glamorous which often serves to confirm that your life is boring, sad, and maybe even pathetic. However, it’s just possible that you might be inspired in some way to become your best self.

I have reached the age of 59. Yes, I am officially what some people call a senior citizen. After all, there are places in the world where I can get a free cup of coffee or a cheap meal. Let it be known that in most of these places, your taste buds must be completely non-existent to enjoy the free or reduced-price items you are about to ingest. Personally, I have not allowed myself to partake of these benefits, and yes, I have thrown away too many AARP cards to count. I would like to tell them while I am old enough to join their club, I’m not quite ready for orthopedic shoes and elastic waist pants.

I have a longtime friend I frequently talk to in the morning as she is driving to her job as a library assistant in an elementary school. She generally stops by McDonald’s to get her senior coffee with four creams and four sugars. I think she is paying like 37 cents for that drink. I should remember to ask her if it’s the taste of the coffee or the price that keeps her coming back morning after morning. Maybe the lure is just the convenience of not having to make coffee at home for one person. At any rate, getting older has its benefits. After all, none of us want to die young… so getting older is inevitable.

In my former life, I was a home health nurse. I remember seeing a man who was 95 years old. Every time I would leave his house, I would hear him say, Never get old until you have to. I think this is sage advice. So, just for the record, while I have learned to appreciate the wisdom I now have, wisdom I did not have in my 20's, 30's and even my 40's, I DO NOT plan to get old until I have to! I am rarely recognized as someone my age. I have a plan for that after all.

I once heard someone say the best way to stay looking young is to gain five pounds every year. After all, fat doesn't crack. So, I realized one day that I was ahead of the game and that must be the reason I am often mistaken for someone in my early 40's. Well, that is at least what the kind and generous people say to me. Because I believe that most people are honest, I choose to believe them. I am contemplating the idea of beginning to introduce myself as my oldest son's sister. After all, he is 11 years older than his youngest sibling and if I look like I'm in my early 40's and he is 35, it’s totally believable. As long as the emperor has no clothes, I can believe that I look 43.

Life is a funny thing, when you get to be of a certain age, you begin to think about what people will remember about you when you are no longer around. I must be of a certain age because seriously, that thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion. It is that thought along with all the young women I meet who are struggling to find their role in life, their purpose for living that is more than being a mom or a wife. All of these are great reasons enough to consider yourself great. This book is being birthed for these reasons.

I was lounging in the tub one evening when I heard the Holy Spirit ask me, What would you tell your younger self? That seemed funny to me because that is a question I have heard multiple times in conferences and seminars. When the Holy Spirit asks that question and your conversation with Him carries on to picking up your laptop and writing the intro to a book, it must be something He knows you need to write… and other girls need to read. So, girls, take your place and come along for the journey with the very young looking, young feeling, trying to be cooler than everyone else is, Lovie to eight amazing grandkids) because I don’t do Grandma), as she writes a book to her former self.

When I begin a book, I usually know where it’s going and what the point of the book is. This time is completely different. This is a little terrifying and exciting all at the same time. Hold on to your hats, Margaret, the Holy Spirit is about to take Melisa on a journey. It may be a little bumpy and crazy, but I trust Him to bring us exactly to the place He has for us at the end of our journey.

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̶ Melisa Zimmerman

July 2021

Chapter 1

If You Only Knew You Were Leaving a Legacy

Legacy is a funny thing. While you are building one, you rarely realize you are doing it. You see, for most of us, including myself, your legacy rarely becomes something that you even give conscious thought to when you are young and trying to navigate life. For me, my first 40 plus years were spent trying to figure out how to do life and make the most of it. I was worried about making money, paying the bills, raising my kids, and praying they would turn out to be decent adults, all the while trying to please the important people in my life and wondering if I would ever have a chance to live the dreams in my heart.

I had grown accustomed to the idea that dreams needed someone to validate them and then if they told you you were qualified, you could pursue them in your spare time. Dreams were what happened only after the work of your life was complete. For me, it was a little like getting to play after doing my homework or eating dessert only after I had cleaned my plate. Yes, I grew up a card-carrying member of the clean your plate club. I just didn't know that I was training for looking younger when I was fifty. (Remember that gain five pounds a year