For the next several Mondays, I want to talk about growing older. I have been collecting quotes and Bible verses about growing old, and I have decided to share some of them with you. Maybe we can have a little discussion in the comments section? Or maybe we'll just ponder and grow in wisdom.
Today's thought . . .
Today's thought . . .
"Part of what you have received is your age. Have you accepted the exact number of years and months and days God has granted to you so far? Do you lie about your age? Do you hate growing old? But old age is one of the stages of the journey with the Shepherd. Make use of it as He intends." ~Elisabeth Elliot
Do we need to come into old age kicking and screaming, or can we view it as "one of the stages of the journey with the Shepherd"?
This will be interesting to hear your thoughts and the the thoughts of other friends, Cheryl. Having had a dear sister die at the age of 57, I made a promise to myself to embrace the years I have as I grow older. I am proud to be 68 years old! The aches and pains are the ones that really can be a challenge, though. It is a journey that requires acceptance and grace. ♥
ReplyDeleteMartha Ellen, I am sure that losing your sister has had a big impact on how you view getting older. Each one of our days is a gift, designed for us even before we began. I agree with you about the aches and pains though. The physical limitations are difficult to accept.
DeleteThanks for joining in on this conversation. ♥
Interesting topic, Cheryl. I was doing my little German lesson just this morning when this word came up: Torschlusspanik. It means the fear or anxiety that one has as growing older that time is running out and important opportunities are slipping away. We have no specific word for it in English.
ReplyDeleteOver the weekend, I was listening to some videos on the Graham family and one in particular featured Ruth Graham. She was asked about growing older and she said with a laugh that she looked forward to growing older and that it didn’t seem any more difficult than growing up, which is also difficult. Had never thought of it that way...
Personally, I see growing older as the path to that moment when we meet The Lord face to face. Do I like all the things that come on this path? Not particularly, but I know that The Lord is always with me and will carry me on. On the other hand, I appreciate grandchildren, a growing family, senior citizen discounts, friends, and perhaps some more wisdom than I had as a younger person.
Looking forward to this series!
"Torschlusspanik." I have never heard that word, but I can "feel" it, that feeling of opportunities that are to be missed. I have felt something like that as recently as this morning when I was having "Morning Time" with Bekah and we were choosing a new artist to study. I felt the same thing as Kati neared graduation (Bek has one more year after this) . . . that idea of "Yikes! But there's so much more to learn!" Even in this, I have to accept the fact that we have learned much and enjoyed our years of learning together.
DeleteI love your view of "the path to that moment when we meet The Lord face to face"! Beautiful, encouraging perspective!
Thanks for joining in on this conversation. ♥
This is a great topic. A few years ago I kidded myself that I was middle aged. When you are in your 50s that is true, but at a certain point recently I realized I am old. Ha ha, God has a plan for me.
ReplyDeleteTerra, yes! I remember vividly the moment when I was reading a book describing "an attractive older woman, in her fifties perhaps" and I realized that I was that age! "Eek, am I an "older woman"? I thought, and then it dawned on me that I was.
DeleteThanks for joining in on this conversation. ♥
I love that word Torschlusspanik, and I think maybe we all succumb at times to this. My mother used to say that she felt 21 whatever age she was! I don't feel my age, except in some physical ways, but I know that is part of the body getting older....and wiser? I would not want to be in my twenties again, but appreciate the wisdom and calm that does come with aging. Every day I wake to a new morning I thank God for it.
ReplyDeleteHad you heard that word before? I had not, but it kind of hits the nail on the head, doesn't it? And, yes, I think we all have moments like that.
DeleteLike you, I would not want to go back to my younger years again, even though I enjoyed those years when I was there. There are certainly many wonderful things that come with aging, and even though there are also some not-so-wonderful things, I think that it is important (as Elisabeth Elliot said in the quoted passage) that we accept it all as "one of the stages of the journey with the Shepherd."
Thank you for joining the conversation. ♥
Like Vee, I also watched a lot about Billy Graham and his family over the weekend...what a legacy! I think that being the baby of the family and having lived that role had a part in the way that I sometimes feel about getting older. I think about it and sometimes have the hardest time believing that so many years have passed! I have always looked at age as a state of mind in some part...meaning that we are as old OR as young as we feel. Now that I am having a few health issues pop up, it is a little hard to keep that "I'm not getting old!" theory in my mind. Sometimes, I wish my brain would catch up with the true reality of the number of my years! Although I think that having a young-at-heart attitude is important, I also don't want to be living in a fantasy land. What I do want is to grow in grace and love my Jesus more and more everyday and appreciate every day He allows me on this earth...and most importantly, to "live like I was dying" as the song says...WAY easier to say than to do for me!
ReplyDeleteDebby, I am always interested in your perspective as the baby of your family. My two younger daughters have been around older people all their lives, so talk of ailments and retirement and medicines and old music and old movies is a part of their lives. So getting to know you and your young-at-heart attitude is an encouragement to me! (Really, it is not a bad thing to understand "old age" before it gets to you. "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.")
DeleteYes, growing in grace and loving Jesus is a great way to get older!
Thanks for joining in this conversation. ♥
The realization has come since my last birthday - 65! - that the past 10 years went by really quickly! Lots of changes, mostly physical, and not all good, but opportunities to serve and a new season of laying things aside that we'd rather not yet! But God knows . . .
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it does pass by quickly! I like the idea of "seasons" in life. Just as every season in nature is different, so are the seasons of our lives. There are different joys and different challenges in each.
DeleteThanks for joining the conversation. ♥
My mother went to be with Jesus at the young age of 51 and her passing has shaped the way I view getting older. I think of her each time I experience something that she didn't have the opportunity to enjoy: graduation, a child's wedding, empty-nesting, grandchildren, retirement, etc. I attempt to approach each day with a grateful heart (some days are easier than others) and do my best to acknowledge God's plan for that day. Cheryl said, "Each one of our days is a gift, designed for us even before we began." So true! I don't mind that I am growing older, I just can't believe how quickly the days and years have accumulated!! It surprises me that I am considered an older woman! Haha!
ReplyDeleteI also learned a new word today, "Torschlusspanik". Thank, you, Vee! I do experience the feeling from time to time, especially where my grandchildren are concerned. I don't want to miss a minute with each one of them!
I pray that God continues to work on me that I may use, as He intends, this stage of my "journey with the Shepherd".
Thanks, Cheryl for initiating this contemplation and discussion.
Oh Linda, I can imagine that the impact of your mother's loss would have a great influence on your perspective of aging. How wise that you, rather than being bitter, have chosen to be grateful for the gifts of your days!
DeleteI am loving that new word too! Maybe Vee will help us to pronounce it? :)
Thank you for adding to this conversation. ♥
Oh sure! My spoken German is pretty tortured, but here ya go:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skz-AFCoro8
Thanks!! :)
DeleteMy next birthday will be my 70th!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually get "hung up" about age, but that DOES sound "old" (and a bit impossible)!
I've run across a few books - one, a journal of a woman's 70th year and the other a book about a woman who took up a significant craft/art at the age of 72. Both were very inspiring.
I'll look forward to reading your Monday quotes. I do not fear old age. Right now with my 91 year old father living with us, I realize 70 isn't very old at all! We take life a day at a time here - enjoying the journey and trusting Jesus! ♥
Rebecca, it does seem "impossible" how quickly one becomes "old"! But I do agree that it has something to do with perspective too. You're the kid at your house, right?!
DeleteThanks for joining this conversation. ♥
I'll have more thoughts on this as the weeks pass. Here's a song I like to remind myself of about getting old written by younger friends of ours.
ReplyDeleteRemind Me
When I’m old, remind me not to get stuck in my ways
When I’m old, remind me not to sit around day after day
’cause there’s a race to run that doesn’t finish at sixty
And I’m not giving up till I’m safe in your arms
When I’m old, let me bring glory to your super name
When I’m old, remind me not to take your grace in vain
When I’m old, remind me who and what I’m livin’ for
When I’m old, remind me not to hide away and double lock my door
I’ll rest in heaven, retire there. Let me run for Jesus ’till I get there.
There is a lot of wisdom there in this song! How did these "young" friends become so wise?
DeleteThank you for sharing this song today. I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts as this series moves along. ♥
oops...song credit Aaron Spiro and Carlo Furlan
ReplyDeleteGreat conversation, Cheryl! Hanging around young people as much as I do, I often forget my age, but often am sharply reminded of it! I am amazed at how much faster time flies the older I get, and also am amazed at the grace God gives me to accept my age and embrace it with joy. When I regret that my time here is passing quickly, and will I get to do all the things I want to do -- I remind myself that I'll be able to do all those things at a much richer level--if I still want to do them--when I live in heaven. Our minds can't comprehend how wonderful it will be, but the older I grow the more I'm thinking about it--and preparing as I worship, especially on His day.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true . . . "our minds can't comprehend how wonderful it will be." I remember Elisabeth Elliot pondering whether life gets more challenging for us as we get older so that we will begin to long more for Heaven. (I believe I read that in Keep a Quiet Heart.) It is a good thing to think about!
DeleteI also love what you said about God giving you grace to accept your age! Grace is the key to everything in the Christian walk. We can't do it alone!
Thanks for joining the discussion. ♥
This is going to be a great discussion! I’ve never feared aging, I’m glad of the wisdom I’ve gained over the years and I wouldn’t want to be younger unless I could keep my wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great perspective! I wouldn't want to go back to my younger days either. There are joys and sorrows at every stage of life. The best gift is now. Now is when I can serve Him!
DeleteThanks for joining the conversation. ♥
Look forward to this discussion.I never really thought to much of age over the years, until now. My Mom said it best on her 70th birthday to her children and grandchildren. "You may be looking at an old lady today, but I want you to know inside me there is a young girl, a young wife, a mother and a Grandma"
ReplyDeleteAfter she shared that and other stories I thought how profound. Now that I turned 70, I know how true it is.
That is so true, Sally! The further you go, you realize how true it is.
DeleteThank you for joining the discussion. ♥
while the Father alone knows the number of our days, my desire is to live fully for him in the days he has established. lately, i've been thinking on this (as the 26th anniversary of my 34th year commences next month :: 60 for the math challenged) so your focus is of interest to me. hugs.
ReplyDeleteThat is the best way to live . . . living fully for Him in the days He has granted! (Those birthdays-ending-in-zeros seem to have particular impact, don't they?)
DeleteThank your for participating in the conversation. ♥
I have always remembered my grandmother saying many times that she may be old but inside...and would tap on her head while saying it...she felt young. I'll be 72 next week and I do know now what she meant.
ReplyDeleteI feel blessed to be this age since my mother died at age 59 and both my brothers died before the age of 50. All due to the dreaded disease, ALS, which often runs in families.
Having faith in God and a good attitude are essential to my well-being as I grow older and having someone to love. Not every day is rosy and wonderful, of course. But I feel blessed to be growing older, not everyone gets to do that. I will admit that I'll be sad when the day comes that I can't drive and go where and when I want to. I pray that I'll be able to handle that time with grace. Hopefully, those days are still a good ways down the road!
Your grandmother and Sally's grandmother (a couple of comments above yours) expressed what many of us feel. We are that same person we have always been; it's just that our physical bodies grow older and kind of disguise the younger us.
DeleteIt must be very sobering to have passed the age when your mother and your brothers passed away. It puts life in perspective, doesn't it? Having faith in God and trusting His plan makes all the difference!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this conversation. ♥
Well this was a thought-provoking post, Cheryl! I don't fear old age (my kids would laugh because they think I'm in it already!!), but it is a time in life for looking back on the years, thanking God for all he's done in my life, but also a tinge of sadness for things I wish I'd done differently. Praise God for his mercy. My birthday coming up in August is the tough one. It occurred to me the other day that if Tommy and Smokey life out their full cat lives, they will most likely be my last cats. That was a shocking thought! It even shocked my daughters when I shared that with them! Then again, my relatives mostly lived to their mid 90s or beyond, so maybe not. :-) Praise God that he will never leave me and will walk the journey beside me. And maybe even with another kitten. :-)And after all, I still feel about 35.
ReplyDeleteJudy, those kinds of thoughts (about Tommy and Smokey being your last cats!) are sobering, aren't they?! "Significant" birthdays are too! But, as you say, we can praise God for His mercy as we look back over the years. He will continue to be merciful!
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts. ♥