Aging with Gratitude
Recently, I was on a trip with my family. As we started to hike in the beautiful mountains of Kauai, I tripped on a rock in the trail and stumbled, scraping my knees and elbow. As the hike was going to be difficult, my children took me back to a cafe where I could read my book while waiting for them.
I was angry that my body was failing me. But sipping my icy soft drink, I started thinking about the beauty around me, the love of my children, and the presence of God with me always. I realize that my life has been filled with blessings from the Lord.
Even the elderly love cell phones
I may be old, but I too am permanently attached to my cell phone. So I busted out my cell phone and started googling aging. (See my body may be old and my arthritic fingers don’t type as well as they used to, but I can still Google things!) Of course I went down the internet rabbit hole.
Bible verses that really tell the truth
As we age, our bodies don’t operate as they did in the past. But, rejoice! Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” In God’s eyes, aging is something to celebrate. Each grey hair and every wrinkle represent a great event in your past: moments of strength, perseverance, and faith.
Job 12:12 reminds us that with age comes wisdom. “Wisdom belongs to the age, and understanding to the old.” So celebrate the understanding that age recognizes the elderly as custodians of wisdom gathered through a life well-lived.
Wisdom gained
This mishap brought me closer to God and I have changed my outlook! Instead of complaining and worrying about my physical frailties, I am using my wisdom and past experiences to help guide my younger children and grandchildren. Celebrate your life but also, remember to be more careful with your wonderful unique body and mind.
Being grateful for growing old means appreciating the opportunity to witness the passage of time, to cherish moments with loved ones, and to reflect on a lifetime of memories. It truly is a privilege to be able to grow older when not everyone has that chance. In essence, being grateful to grow old is about finding joy in the journey of life and embracing the richness that comes with each passing year.