The 6th-grade English teacher would retire soon. After giving a Chromebook assignment, one boy asked if the lights could be turned off, but the teacher needed the lights to grade papers. The boy replied, meaning no disrespect, “Oh, that’s right, you’re old!” Another boy in the class came to the teacher’s defense, saying, “She’s not old; she’s wise!” (Proverbs 16:31) So, what’s wrong with getting old? Most cultures respect the elderly. Time passes more quickly for the aging, which is why the young whine, “I’m bored!” Days can be filled with joy as grandchildren are added to your family.
One retired septuagenarian found a new hobby of landscaping his yard. He mows to stay healthy.
King Solomon wrote many wise sayings about aging: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’; before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; on the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and strong men are bent over, the grinders stop working because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Your aging body will one day weaken, and you’ll start to feel useless. Those are ”the evil days” that will “come.” Like a trembling watchman, you won’t be able to protect yourself.
When your once-strong muscles weaken and sag, walking becomes more difficult and unstable. You no longer stand straight and tall, but are bent over. Your community has many of them.
Clouds still linger after the storm because your eyes are too dim to clearly see the sunshine.
Remember when your “grinders” could chew a steak? Eating has become less pleasurable.
If you remember your Creator God when you are young, aging is less traumatic! Your journey to heaven is closer as you age.
“The…conclusion is fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring…to judgment, everything which is hidden…good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14) Some forget God as they age. That’s when you need Him most!
Jesus said, “…I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes…has eternal life, and…has passed out of death into life” ( John 5:24).
Older folks are much closer to the end of life than they once were.
Forget “the good ‘ol’ days” (Ecclesiastes 7:10). You aren’t done with living! Seek God, and draw near to HIm. Great rewards can come in your long life!