Growing old and other pains

Jul 23, 2009

Growing old is not for sissies!  Old bodies are not cool.  They don’t recover quickly.  They let you down often.  They smell more, need more attention and grooming.  Old bodies often reveal the utter lack of care you gave to yourself in regards to diet and exercise.  Even your hair lets you down and starts growing in all the wrong places and stops growing where it should.  
 
I remember many years ago my nephew, who was young at the time, told my father, who was old at the time, “you stink!”  My father just laughed and laughed!  At the time I thought it was a strange reaction but I am starting to understand the humor he saw in it!  
 
In the book Steadfast Love, the authors talk about The Five Passages of Marriage.  The first is New Love the first two years, the second Realistic Love the second year to the tenth, the third Steadfast Love, is eleven years to twenty five, the fourth Renewing Love, are the years twenty five to thirty five, and the fifth passage, Transcendent Love is beyond thirty five years.
 
As far as number of years married go, I should be in the fourth passage, but as to where we are in real life I can relate better to the third passage.  We are still wrapped up in careers and children.
 
The point I want to make is as we grow older we have to learn to accept the inevitable losses that go with it.  This is true for all ages.  Lost youth, lost health, lost vocational and financial dreams are but a few.  The first time you couldn’t read the small print or lift something you always used to, you are reminded of the losses.
 
I used to plan to change the world, now I can try redecorate my office!
 
I find dealing with the losses, morning them, accepting the changes and moving on helps.  I take courage from the fact that there are good things in growing old as well.  There is a satisfaction as you remember how God has led you.  You see fruit that is real and lasting.  There is a peace that goes with growing old in God. The closer I get to heaven the better it looks.  
 
With age we learn to work smarter not harder.  There is financial stability, also a strength that comes from overcoming many of the obstacles of life.
 
Redeem the time, make the most of your life.  Live everyday, serve the Lord with gladness.  Fight the good fight.
 
Leonard