This weekend I will celebrate 48 years of life! I remember when I thought 40 seemed old! Now as I approach the big 50, being 40 doesn't seem old at all. If I am to live another 48 years that would make me 96 years old. Other than my father in law, I don't know many people who have lived to even be 90.
Aging has a way of showing you how fragile life is and how quickly time goes by. As a society it seems we fight aging with every new wrinkle or spot we gain. Showing your age isn't widely accepted in our culture. There is Botox and skin treatments to tighten and firm your wrinkles. Of course, plastic surgery is always available to lift and erase any and every sign of age. Between these options and the filtered lens of Hollywood, it makes it challenging to want to age gracefully or even at all.
Middle age also comes with some harsh reality's and reminders that we live in a fallen world that is full of cancers and disease's that try their best to wipe away dignity or pride. Diagnosis of such seems to steal your perception of who you are physically and emotionally. It puts everything on hold and life as you knew it comes to a screeching halt. Although, cancer and disease do not discriminate with age, aging seems to make reality of such more brazen and eminent.
With age comes the reminder that death can come at any time. There seems a constant stream of news of a neighbor, or a friend's parent, a spouse, or a famous person, who has died suddenly or unexpectedly, leaving loved ones behind to deal with grief and sorrow.
I have to ask myself; Am I afraid of aging? What does it mean to grow old gracefully? What is age really? Am I afraid of living? Am I afraid of dying? If I knew tomorrow was my last day on Earth, would I say or do anything differently than today? How should I feel about growing old? How does my faith fit in with growing old?
As I ponder these questions I am reminded of the gift that aging really is.....
But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, "The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!" Psalm 92:12-15
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Psalm 31:14-15
A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1Peter 1:24-25
To read more about growing old without worry click HERE.
There is always Hope!
Aging has a way of showing you how fragile life is and how quickly time goes by. As a society it seems we fight aging with every new wrinkle or spot we gain. Showing your age isn't widely accepted in our culture. There is Botox and skin treatments to tighten and firm your wrinkles. Of course, plastic surgery is always available to lift and erase any and every sign of age. Between these options and the filtered lens of Hollywood, it makes it challenging to want to age gracefully or even at all.
Middle age also comes with some harsh reality's and reminders that we live in a fallen world that is full of cancers and disease's that try their best to wipe away dignity or pride. Diagnosis of such seems to steal your perception of who you are physically and emotionally. It puts everything on hold and life as you knew it comes to a screeching halt. Although, cancer and disease do not discriminate with age, aging seems to make reality of such more brazen and eminent.
With age comes the reminder that death can come at any time. There seems a constant stream of news of a neighbor, or a friend's parent, a spouse, or a famous person, who has died suddenly or unexpectedly, leaving loved ones behind to deal with grief and sorrow.
I have to ask myself; Am I afraid of aging? What does it mean to grow old gracefully? What is age really? Am I afraid of living? Am I afraid of dying? If I knew tomorrow was my last day on Earth, would I say or do anything differently than today? How should I feel about growing old? How does my faith fit in with growing old?
As I ponder these questions I am reminded of the gift that aging really is.....
But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord's own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, "The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!" Psalm 92:12-15
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Psalm 31:14-15
A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1Peter 1:24-25
To read more about growing old without worry click HERE.
There is always Hope!
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