You Know You Are Aging

“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” Psalm 71:9 King James Version)

Here’s hoping my fellow “Baby Boomers” can relate to some of these.

You know you are aging when:

1. Everything hurts and what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work.
2. The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.
3. Your Little Black Book has only names ending in M.D.
4. You get winded playing Chess.
5. Your children begin to look middle-aged.
6. You finally reach the top of the ladder, and find it leaning against the wrong wall.
7. You decide to procrastinate but then never get around to it.
8. A dripping faucet causes an uncontrollable bladder urge.
9. You know all the answers, but nobody asks you the questions.
10. You walk with your head held high trying to get used to your bifocals.
11. Your favorite part of the newspaper is 25 Years Ago Today.
12. You turn out the light in the bedroom for economic and not romantic reasons.
13. You sit in a rocking chair and can’t make it go.
14. Your knees buckle and your belt won’t.
15. After “painting the town red,” you have to take a long rest before applying a second coat.
16. You remember today that yesterday was your wedding anniversary.
17. The best part of your day is over when your alarm clock goes off.
18. Your back goes out more than you do.
19. A fortune-teller offers to read your face.
20. The little gray-haired woman you help across the street is your wife.
21. You get exercise acting as a pallbearer for your friend who exercised.
22. You have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet.
23. You sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there.
24. You feel like “the morning after,” and you haven’t been anywhere.
25. You have to put on an old pair of eyeglasses to find your new pair.

It’s a Blessing to be able to “think” and to “laugh” at ANY age, but even more Blessed to know that God’s Love and care for each of us is AGELESS and EVERGREEN!

“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age: they shall be fat and flourishing . . . .”  Psalm 92:13-14 (KJV)

Retire?

“And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said to one another, Why sit we here until we die?”  (2 Kings 7:3)(King James Version)

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” — Edmund Burke

When I moved south after 25 years of ministry, it was to rest, recuperate, and yes, even to retire. At least that’s what I thought, but none of that was an option. In a few short years, I nearly lost everything including my mind. And even though I consider myself a “serious woman of God,” who had comforted many others, I could not understand why certain things were happening to me, but there is always a “Word from the Lord” to make things clear. I believe that’s why Jesus reminded His Disciples, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matthew 8:20). I forgot, I am merely a steward and not an owner of all I have been allowed. In fact, I was never rich nor may I ever be, in terms of “worldly” capital. The truth is:  I am Blessed and Highly favored with health, strength, a pure heart, and a sound mind. Anything beyond that is a gift.

I now see the benefit of taking the “road less traveled.” Even with all of its detours — it led me straight to the door of God’s will for my life. I understand what the Apostle Paul meant by “being content no matter the circumstances.” I know what it is to “lose in order to gain.” The true rewards of serving the kingdom of God are Love, Peace, and Joy. What better rest, respite, and relief in a chaotic, storm-tossed world? Since my arrival, I have slowed my pace, but I have never grown “weary in my well-doing.” Many times, I grew tired in the work, but I never tired of the work.  God has promised, if I don’t give up, I will reap every seed I have sown. God cannot lie and all God’s promises are consistently “Yes” and “Amen.” So, I thank God for every mountain. I treasure every valley, and relish every step that draws me closer to hearing “Well done.” But most of all, I am eternally grateful to those “four brave men,” who (even in their pain), decided to live victoriously.

One day, Jesus told Peter, “If you love me feed my sheep.” I love the Lord, and have renewed my vow to share the “Bread and Water of Life” with all who hunger and thirst for righteousness. One day, the Lord will not ask me how well-rested, happy, or content I was, but will ask, “What did you do for the least of these?” “How many lost lambs did you help find THE WAY?” “How many hurting hearts did you soothe with my Word?” “How much time did you devote to the cause of My Kingdom?” Retire? I don’t think so. Retire? Are you kidding?  Retire? No never — the Lord’s Harvest is too plentiful, the laborers too few, time too short, and there’s too much to be done.  Retire? Nay.  Rather, I say to my fellow laborers in the Vineyard:  WAKE UP — GET UP — GET BUSY  because in the economy of GRACE — there is absolutely no such thing as RETIREMENT!!