Each year, I find that I become increasingly reflective around the time of my birthday – which was yesterday… It seems that the years pass more quickly than they used to – and I focus on other concerns than the ones I had when I was younger.
Throughout the years, I have worked long hours and hope that Janet and I have been an inspiration and good role model for our children. None of them are lazy – they all have their fields of expertise and we are proud of what they each have accomplished. Kristin, Jill and Andrew are all remarkably different yet they share some common values that Janet and I hope that we have imparted to them.
Another thing that I have come to really appreciate is the fact that early on, Janet and I decided that we wanted to have our children when we were still in our twenties. That way, we thought, we would have more years with our kids and we could grow old having had scores of years living life with younger generations. That has turned out to be the case and a wonderful blessing. Our oldest grandson is twenty already and our youngest will be a teenager this summer. Remarkable how time flies.
I look forward to family gatherings and watch the interactions with the younger folks, what they are learning, what they think about, the condition of the country and ruminate about what their leadership will be like as the years pass. While I sat at the knee of my maternal grandfather and learned from him, I tell stories at every opportunity so the kids and grandchildren will have our family values and history indelibly imprinted on them. I’m trying to pass on what was left to me. Whether it’s Chicago Dog Night, or celebrating a birthday, the kids have grown up with traditions, both old and new, that I know they cherish. For example, this coming November I will be preparing my 50th turkey for Thanksgiving – it’s the family’s favorite meal of the year.
When I look in the mirror, I have a few more gray hairs than last year, I don’t have quite the stamina I had earlier in life, but I am still full of desire to learn and grow and teach – especially the Bible. What’s waning is my desire to add clients in my corporate work. I still work with several people I have assisted for years, but other than that, I really cherish my down time – time with Janet, the rest of the family and good friends.
I do, from time to time, wonder if I should start new stuff, wondering how good I can really get at a new hobby or discipline (think playing the piano) – something that I should never have given up in my teen years. But nobody can live with regret – I still have much to contribute and friendships have become even more dear than I considered them years ago. However, I must agree that the advantages of youth are wasted on the young…. but as we age, we have wisdom and experience and vitality that are still important and viable attributes.
Hopefully, Janet and I will continue to age gracefully. We depend on one another and I can’t imagine any other partner for me. We have both been blessed with the gift of the other. And our faith continues to grow stronger with each passing day. We read the Bible together, I still teach several Bible studies and several male friends hold me accountable to continue steadfastly in my walk with the Lord.
Our verse for tonight is one that gives me unbelievable comfort as I grow older. The prophet Isaiah, who made many references to the coming of Jesus and as a prophet represented God to the people, recounts the words of God Himself in Isaiah 46:4, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Those are comforting thoughts to those of us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Of course, the people of Israel also knew that God had chosen them as His people. My encouragement this evening is that God will never desert us or forsake us. My prayer is that as we age, we will continue to grow our relationship with God and will eventually smoothly transition to spend eternity with Him. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…