“Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you.” (Isaiah 46:4)
I just got off the phone making an appointment for a pedicure at the salon I go to. The reason is because not long ago when I tried to trim my toenails, I put my back out. Ended-up at the doctors getting an anti-inflammatory injection. It took a few days, a heating pad, and stretching exercises to work the pain out. Old age! A couple months ago I finished my second set of injections in my right knee to help cushion my arthritis. Old age! This past January I had surgery on my left shoulder to try to remove some of the arthritis, as well as repair the tendon that I had torn. Old age! You know where I’m headed here. Age takes a definite toll on our bodies.
Some of you reading this know exactly what I’m talking about. The rest of you will know all too soon. Though age takes a definite toll on our bodies, it does have its’ benefits also. Statistics reveal that we become wiser as we get older. Probably because we have made more mistakes, that have taught us more. Those statistics also reveal that our negative emotions decline. Probably because we care less about the things we cared too much about when we were younger. Those same statistics reveal that we are more satisfied as we age. I have noticed that I don’t really care about or need all the new things I used to think I needed. Mostly because I’m at the place that if I get anything new, something old has to go to make room for it; and I don’t want to take the time or energy to get rid of the old stuff. So I just keep it.
But there is one thing about old age that I really like. That is this. The older we become, and the longer we walk with the Lord, the more we love him. I also find his love for me becomes more of a blessing. God promises that he will love us with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). That means no matter how old we become; no matter how weak and frail our bones become; no matter how much our skin wrinkles, how many chins we have, or how much our body sags, God is going to love us. Not just love us with any old love, but with a love that is everlasting. A love that has no limitations to it.
Our bodies may not endure, but God’s love for us does. And that makes me smile when I look at the old lady in the mirror.
Darlene