(See Reader's Comments below.)
PHOTO: Actor Jimmy Stewart. Well, maybe the statue won't grow old.
“Getting old isn’t for sissies,” an elderly actress once told me.
She had quite a resume and still looked stunning at 80 years of age. Her movies and television credits went before her and she still had quite a few admirers at the wine and cheese parties.
But there’s only so much that even a Hollywood make-up artist can hide. Aches and pains, the slowing down of our nervous system, hearing loss (in her case), vision difficulties, heart and sugar issues and a host of other maladies lie underneath even the most well-kempt of the elderly.
Sadly, I remember wrangling over the phone with renowned writer and television commentator Andy Rooney as to whether he wanted to continue our interview about aging. The legendary actor Jimmy Stewart scribbled a note to his agent that simply said, “No!” in response to my request for an interview for my column on senior citizens.
Yes, aging has its difficulties and covering it up in make-up or fighting it or denying it doesn’t magically make it go away. It just keeps coming at you until it finally conquers your body.
But those who trust God even in this midst of this most persistent and pesty of tests called “aging” find good reason for such hope. Logically, except for aging, there is no other way that we could claim the high ground for worship for it is only living a long time that our witness could be passed to the second, third, fourth and even fifth generations.
No one except the aged have that platform.
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: Aging, like many other sometimes perplexing subjects, makes many shake their heads as if to ask God, “What were You thinking?” The pat answer of Adam and Eve’s fall just don’t cut it in the nursing homes and hospitals. Yet, may it be said of us that it was only through aging that we could learn to be a witness to more than just one generation.
For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long…Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come...By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
Psalm 71:5-9,18 NIV, Hebrews 11:21 NIV
READER'S COMMENTS:
From Paul, San Diego, CA:
Thanks, Bob I really appreciate this. I am pleased you could turn my experience with NP bball and Miss Hansen into an inspirational message. As usual, very well done. Thanks again.
From Frank Wray, Delmar, NY:
"The Way The Ball Bounces In God's Court of Justice:"
Lots of imagery and analogies Bob! Sometimes it can feel like your riding the bench waiting for the Coach to put you in.
"Who Fights For You:"
I love Hebrews chapter 10 versus 24 and 25 – Let us stir one another up to love and good deeds!
From Antoinette Renzi, Guilderland, NY:
"The Way The Ball Bounces In God's Court of Justice:"
God is rewriting the drama in my life everyday . In my everyday work experiences God not only rewrites the drama He also directs the path of the day. I write lessons plans on a weekly basis based on the day or week before, and even though these lessons follow the developmental sequence of a child's development God always shows me different ways. The population I work with are children with special needs. God is saying to me everyday the lessons are good but the children are your teachers. He's right, each day I've learned to go into that classroom and ask myself, "What am I going to learn today?" Each day, minute, week is different, yet productive. God writes and rewrites the script and we enjoy the parts.
"Never Alone:"
Loneliness is not what many people consider to be a healthy state, however when we feel lonely due to how different we may behave, react, socialize, or even the way we express ourselves to other often sets us apart from everyone else. That's okay because we are not lonely - we have our Best Friend by our side and He never lets us go.