Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come! – Psalm 71:18
Old age faces us all, and it creeps up on us so gradually that we do not realize that we have become ‘old’. Our minds keep us in the state of perpetual youth, though our bodies begin to tell us otherwise.
Age is not a limitation
But, age is not a limitation. With age comes wisdom, and insight, and the realization that we still have years to live life to the fullest.
- Our working hours are not confined to 9 – 5.
- We can start at 10 and finish at 3 – or work till midnight.
- We can work on our bucket list.
- We don’t have to go on holiday when the schools do.
- We don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to get everyone ready for school, work etc.
- We have time to meet with our friends.
- We can sit and read, or work at our hobbies, or just doze.
Old age is a time when we can be completely ourselves
As we look back on our lives we can take pride in what we have achieved, no matter what it was. God has been gracious to us, and has blessed us with three score years and ten – plus a few extra.
We now have the time to spend as long as we want in our Lord’s presence – the dishes can wait – the dusting can be done tomorrow – tidying of the cupboards is low on the priority list. There is time for friends, for emails to keep in touch, for planning teatime with a loved one, for visits, for time to smell the roses.
It’s a time of re-adjustment
It is also a time when we are most probably alone, having lost our life-long partner.
It is a time for re-adjustment, getting used to cooking for one, having minimal washing or washing up to do. It is a time of adjusting to long evenings alone, when you see something funny on TV and turn to share it, and there is no one there.
It is a time of having to change light globes, and ensuring that the car is serviced regularly, and having no one to carry the heavy shopping bags.
It’s a time for planning visits to those places you’ve dreamed of
But it is also a time for planning trips to those places that you have always longed to visit – an overseas holiday – a grandchild’s graduation – or a walk round a Botanical Garden, just to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and the flowering plants.
Growing old is all about time
We now have all the time we need to do what we want to. It is not a lonely time, for God’s 24 hours a day are ours to enjoy.
As we ask Him for guidance for the time ahead, He surprises us with what He asks of us, and as we listen and obey our days and nights are filled with His loving presence and the pleasure of being able to serve Him well.
I’m 79 and my life is full
I now have reached the glorious age of 79 years, and my life is full. I am kept busy, and enjoying all that God has given me. I pray that He may grant me yet more years to serve Him and live the life He has given me to the fullest!
Ann is a retired widow and writes on a regular basis. She is published in articles, blogs and books. She has written six prayer and devotional books and has also been writing a weekly Prayer Guide for 30+ years. Ann has two children and five grandchildren and she enjoys gardening, especially propagating and growing Clivia Miniata.
Ann, what a fabulous article. You put such a positive spin on getting older! Thank you.
Ann, I turned sixty last year and your blog post really resonates with me. My life is filled with activities that I used to dream about. Started art classes a few weeks ago. Such fun. I go to workshops and am happy to go alone. But the best is being blessed with grandchildren who light up my life. They take me back to a time long gone. We enjoy doing art and craft together and I can let go and enjoy their company. My bucket list gets longer and longer and I thank God for each day he grants me to enjoy life.