By Toni Ford
I personally I love the transition of seasons. Summer is a time when most people take a break from their regular routines, take time for vacation and travel and enjoy lots of water activities that help with the summertime heat, I always look forward to this next season of fall.
By the time summer is ending and fall is beginning, I am ready for routine again and begin to turn my focus on the new season ahead. Fall is known as the harvest season, a time when we reap what was planted in the spring. It’s a time of gathering, which to me is an opportunity to stop and be thankful. As the leaves slowly change colors and the cool breezes come across our nights, fall might just be my favorite season of them all. For me, fall is a season of new beginnings, a time to reflect on where we have been and where we are going and, ultimately, a time to be thankful for the Lord’s blessings in my life.
One thing I am thankful for this year is my age! I know that might sound funny to some. More often than not, I hear of other folks struggling with the idea of turning a year older. If you were to ask members of the younger generation, they would say that I am “older in age!” However, I am so thankful for my age, because I see so many blessings that come with being older.
I love what the Bible has to say about age and the benefits that come from being older. These benefits are gifts that we should cherish and be thankful for and always be ready to be passed along to the younger generation.
Wisdom. Job 12:12 says, “Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.” Job 32:7 says, “Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with the age.” As we age, we also grow in wisdom. We have a unique perspective on the past that younger generations do not. Sharing our stories can be an excellent way for younger people to gain wisdom and learn from the past.
Strength. Psalm 71:18 says, “Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” I love how this verse reminds us that we are never too old to keep doing the Lord’s work, being an example of His power in us and performing mighty miracles all for His glory!
Experience. Proverbs 20:29 says, “The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.” At this point in my life, I have truly experienced all the different stages of life. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly while experiencing God’s faithfulness to me in each of those stages. Our experience gives us strength, which also becomes our “splendor.”
Purpose. Psalm 92:14 says, “Even in old age, they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” How thankful I am that our purpose here on earth is never finished. There is a common belief that we gradually become less useful as we grow older. This is so not true! When we live our lives for God, our journey here does not end until we take our final breath. Never forget that God will use you at any age and any stage! There is no limit to the way He works, and His is a love that never grows old.
Respect. I Timothy 5:1-2 says, “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother and treat younger women withal purity as you would your own sisters.” The words, “respect” and “honor” have a whole different meaning to young people today. I believe it is our responsibility to not only teach the young what these words mean but to model them by the way we live our own lives.
We have so many things to be thankful for during this season and today, I celebrate my age! Thank you, Jesus, for all your blessings in my life. Most of all, thank you for allowing me to learn and grow in the areas of wisdom, strength, experience, purpose and respect. Thank you for your heart and your promise to us as we continue to age! My heart is full of gratitude and thankfulness to you, oh Lord!
In Isaiah 46:4, we see God’s heart for the elderly: “I will be your God throughout your lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”
If you would like continued prayer, feel free to email me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!