On Aging 12/4/1962

“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
And all the remnant of the house of Israel,
You who have been borne by Me from birth
And have been carried from the womb;
Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:3-4

As the Lord continues to cause us to rise each and every day, we, by the very passage of time, age.  Thoughts of our mortality are typically brought on by the graying of hair, diminished physical and mental capability, the need for medicines and visits to our physicians and a younger generation that seems unaware of the values of our youth.  For these and many other reasons, we view aging as a negative and as we see the days approaching, we attempt to hold them off as long as we can through our clothing choices, activities, plastic surgeries, sports car purchases and the like.  We have even labeled the advent of mid-life a crisis.

Beloved we must realize that aging is a privilege and a gift.  By God's graciousness we are able to see the growth and development of our children.  We usher them into their own adulthood and committed relationships.  We see the birth and the growth of our grand children and great grand children, often delighting in how they vex their parents as they once vexed us.  Life slows down and after decades of toiling to provide we are finally able to rest a bit and take time to enjoy God's great creation.  Yes the hair grays but it is a sign of life lived and a symbol wisdom gained through experience.  So many of the youth's current cares are no longer ours and the ones we have are put into their proper perspective.  Only after we have lived a long time do we truly realize how short life is and how important it is to enjoy it.  Through it all, God bears us, carries us and delivers us.

If all else fails, keep in mind this humorous but profound saying: "The only way to avoid getting old is to die young."  I don't know about you but I'll take the gray hair, doctor visits and my grandson on my knee.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee