Aging seems to be a negative word. Seniors deny it, ignore it, refuse to talk about it or laugh about it. But we all get older, we all age and the physical body deteriorates. The problem is our minds want to do things, want to accomplish tasks that were easy when we were 30 or 40 years old but suddenly we discover the energy isn't there.
Aging is a challenge! Of course, as I look back on my life I realize there were many 'challenging' episodes. I remember 'aging' as being that unknown far future hazy time that would eventually happen but certainly would not be a negative. When you are immersed in the busyness of working, family and social activities, you somehow hold on to the idea that life will always be that way.
I remember not too many years back, when Dick's parents hit their mid-eighties, that our doctor friend stated, "During the eighties the body rapidly starts to fall apart as the aging process manifests itself." I remember thinking, "Oh, I'll have to remind myself of that when I turn 80."
Well, here we are...Dick turned 85 the end of December, 2014 and I turned 79 this April. So, how do we handle aging?
First of all, I am thankful! The Lord has healed me of a "rare, lethal, aggressive brain cancer". Instead of dying of CNS lymphoma in 2010, I continue to live a vibrant life. My life has been filled with extraordinary experiences... singing multiple evangelistic concerts across the US and beyond... four wonderful, healthy adult kids... twelve super grandchildren... a loving husband of 56 years... productive jobs...traveling...and on and on! I am especially thankful that I've grown spiritually and know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on an intimate basis....as the years flew by He has made Himself so very close to me.... I am humbled!
But all that does not negate the fact that I become frustrated and impatient with the changes in my physical body. Of course my post cancer right-sided weakness is a powerful negative and compounding that problem with the general fatigue of aging leaves me with huge challenges! When I think of what I could normally accomplish in one day as a mother of four young children plus all the other multiple tasks and pleasures performed during one day without being 'tired', I am astonished with my 79 year old fatigue and realize with absolute certainty that I am 'slowing down'.
As we age we make a decision. Do I choose to spend my latter years feeling sorry for myself, whining and crying for attention or do I keep a contented smile on my face and relish in the interpersonal relationships of friends and family around me? Do I regret how I lived my life or do I celebrate those myriad memories? Do I cling to my physical body or do I anticipate with wonder and joy my resurrected body in the presence of the Lord?
Why is it so hard to 'slow down'? Why is it so hard to admit I am 'aging'? I've concluded pride has a lot to do with it, but also the very obvious fact that our culture worships 'youth'. Do we honor our senior citizens in our families, in our communities, in our nation or do we ignore seniors? Do we rejoice in longevity or do we consider it an inconvenience?
Interesting fact....new assisted living facilities and new nursing homes are being built at a rapid pace to accommodate ever increasing numbers of seniors needing care. A century ago most people died before they reached 50 years. Also, grandmothers and grandfathers lived with their families as they grew older. Now with the medications and health care available to all of us, we are all living longer. For some, that is a beautiful fact. For others, it is a drawn out slow torture.
All these questions...all these human reflections...all these worries and fears. Yet who is the One who will sustain us? Who is the One who stands by our side, holds us in His arms and protects us?
Psalm 71:9-10 "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails."
Psalm 91 starts with verses 1 and 2 -"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust'. And ends with verses 14-16 which is the Lord's pledge to us believers. "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation".
Psalm 92:14 "They shall bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing".
The Lord is always with us...in every challenging moment of our lives....whether we are young, middle-age or aging! It is simple. We believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit with all our heart, totally surrendering our lives to Him and we will be cared for.... no matter what!
