@  @  @ Getting Older W. Frank Walton "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31). As soon as we are born, everyone begins to get older. Have you ever plucked out a gray hair? Our sensual culture worships youth and good looks more than virtue and good sense. This began with those who came of age in the 1960's, saying, "Don't trust anyone over 30." Those spoiled baby boomers have had to revise their mantra, pushing it ever higher as they themselves age. However, there is more to life than being young, looking good, and having a good time. In the Biblical world, gray hair was a badge of honor, not a sign of being decrepit. "The splendor of old men is their gray head" (Proverbs 20:29). It represented maturity, hard-won experience and wisdom by living long and learning well from God's university of hard knocks. God's purpose for our lives is our spiritual and moral development, "so we might share in His holiness" (Heb. 12:10). It is not how long we live, but how well we live before God that counts. "Teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom" (Psa. 90:12). As the years roll by, we never retire from the Lord's service. Caleb was one of the faithful few to the divine vision to conquer Canaan with God's help against all odds. He remained active and alert to the end, with youthful exuberance to take on new challenges (Joshua 14:6-15). "Paul, the aged," still wrote encouraging letters during his final Roman imprisonment (Philemon 1:9). To keep his mind sharp and occupied, Paul was still studying toward the very end of his life (2 Timothy 4:13). Victor Hugo said, "Winter is on my head, but spring is in my heart." Someone has said, "Experience is what you get after you don't need it." No, if we keep active in the Lord's work, we can use our experience somewhere in the future, even if it is teaching someone younger (cf. Titus 2:3-5). David Lipscomb knew the Bible in his day about as well as anyone. In the very last months of his life at 84, he would sit in his rocking chair and study his Bible for up to 2 hours daily. In 1916, a year before his death, he wrote, "We have long ago passed the threescore and ten years allotted to man on earth . . . As we approach the end, the more we study the word of God, the more anxious we are to meet him, knowing we have opposed all innovations and changes upon His order at every point along the line of duty drawn by Him" (Gospel Advocate, 1916, p. I). May this be our epitaph, that we were faithful to the Lord and His Word, as we get older until the very end of our life on earth. It is better to wear out than rust out in the Lord's service. Christians should not detest getting older. As we progress through the Lord's school of discipleship, it brings us closer to graduating to that heavenly shore where there are delights with our Lord forever more (2 Cor. 4:16-18). The sick and physically weak are then forever healthy and strong.

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Use this box for "What I wish everyone knew about Growing Older." WHAT WE WISH EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT GROWING OLDER What I wish everyone knew about growing older is that you finally gain the patience and wisdom you wished for when you were young, working hard, raising a family . . . and you REALLY could have used it!  So what do you do with that patience and wisdom now?  Share it (don't preach or push it) with the young, and hope they listen. Getting old is a time for new adventures in a life filled with adventures -- but sometimes the memory of what was gets in our way of recognizing the adventure. So we moan. Hug us with understanding and encourage us to get back to finding the adventure. As one grows older, one grows closer to meeting one's MAKER. My advice to younger women: Cherish the moment! I  wish younger women understood that I was once beautiful, strong and healthy.  Someday their youth will be gone and they will be wishing someone else understood that we are all important, regardless of our looks, strength or health.  We all Need to give to others and we all need to receive graciously from others. Please be patient with my slowness. I realize I'm holding you up. I, too, wish I could move faster. I miss those days and it makes me feel bad if I know I'm irritating you. I'm lonely and would love for you to come visit me. Please play a game with me.  I have no one to have fun with since you have (are) grown up.  I enjoy the board games, card games, Bible games, and checkers and dominoes.  My mind needs stimulation, just as yours did when you were growing up.  I made sure you had some fun along with your learning.  Learning was there to help you grow into maturity.  I need fun and learning to help keep into this mature age.  Please. I wish younger women knew there is always a chance (due to illness or other catastrophic events) your youth can pass you by! "Remember thy Creator in the days of your youth...". Make the most of each & every day to glorify God and enjoy His wonderful blessings! When I see the outer shell of the young lady and Mother, I had been, and still feel young inside..I always say don't treat me like a child.

Is there a topic you'd like discussed concerning growing older? A topic I would like discussed on this page is: WHAT I WISH OLDER WOMEN KNEW ABOUT YOUNGER WOMEN  I wish older women understood that I am aging too, that my children are busy with their own lives, that my husband looks elsewhere for his pleasure, that I am very lonely and would love to have the friendship/companionship of other women of any age. At 37 I'm very forgetful, due to my chronic illness. When I'm around an older woman and mention how forgetful I am, I almost always hear, "You are too young to have memory problems. Wait 'til you're old like me, you'll find out what memory problems are!" I really do have memory problems and it would be nice if older women would believe me and give me empathy and understanding. (see next remark for response) For the lady that is very forgetful due to chronic illness. During my 78 years I have experience so many comments like that.  Unless you have been through what ever illness a person has, the remark "I know what your going through" is really a very thoughtless remark. Isn't it best to say I'm so sorry, is there anything I can do for you.  Or something similiar.

ARCHIVES 2006 Growing Older Gracefully Acceptance & Contentment Am I Putting God on the Back Burner The Older Widow and Her Task Know One Who Suffers From Hearing Loss? Reminiscences for the Young-At-Heart Reminiscences from Anita 2007 Does Wisdom Come with Age? Is That Me? The Costly Ideals of the No Longer Young When True Love Shines the Brightest The Prayer of an Alzheimer's Patient My Treasure Box Growing Old Together in Love My Twin 2008 Marriage - Aging and Intimacy It's Winter Before We Know It Usefulness Thoughts on Being a Grandparent Bearing Fruit in Old Age Laughter is the Sunshine of the Mind Organization - Efficiency Audrey Hepburn's Favorite Beauty Tips Your Time Will Come My Grandma's Hands Want To Know The Secret To Aging Gracefully?

. 2009 The Palm and Cedar Trees Growing Older How To Understand And Encourage Your Elderly Friends  Mr. and Mrs. Horovin The Bible and Growing Old  When I Am Old And Gray Headed Dear Older Member Dear Younger Member  45 Life Lessons and 5 to Grow On Reflections on Aging Gracefully Loneliness & the Armour of God Happiness is Within Us - No Matter Our Age Married 85 Years and Counting 2010 Honor the Older Senior Citizens and Finding a Good Night's Sleep Lessons I Learned As I Grew Older The Art of Growing Older Gracefully When You Look At Me, See ME Growing Older by Johnny Ramsey

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