. Through the prophet Isaiah, He says, “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb; even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! Scripture is encouraging in declaring, “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (Psalm 92:14). And I wholeheartedly agree. Enjoy Life By Giving (Eccl. ... Let us hide God’s word in our hearts that we may be able to have that discernment we must have in these last days that we will not be deceived. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. Whether you are 14 or 104, God is not done with you! Upon retirement some seniors have learned their way around a computer and have discovered a vast new world of information, ideas and entertainment online. Those living the Golden Years today did not grow up in a computer age with mobile phones, tablets, megabytes, Google or DVDs. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you,” says James (James 4:8). A spirit of gratitude, more than anything else, will help determine whether you grow old gracefully — or just grow old. Read more of what God has in store in the article “Purpose of Life.”. Love your messages. Thanks so much. Embrace Challenge. Awww! 11:1-2) The idea of these verses comes from planting rice, sowing the seed on the water that would later produce food. (1) Embrace Change. Beckie, I remember that Oil of Olay ad very well. Their determination to appear younger has cost them financially, emotionally, and even spiritually. Veteran pastor Robert Solomon offers a fresh perspective on ageing and hoe you can continue to grow with God into your autumn years. Some of the things God has put on my heart to accomplish recently have been kind of scary. And we can know, if God calls us to this He will carry us to the end. Required fields are marked *. And there is little threat of being fired from a job when one has already retired. I’m also not saying it’s wrong to color your hair or enjoy a great new pair of shoes (God forbid!). GROWING OLD AND A GING By Dr. D. W. Ekstrand INTRODUCTION. One of my favorite Bible verses about aging gracefully is “ Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” (Psalm 92:14) God will carry us through, even into our advanced years. This is the key to growing old to the glory of God. “You will be afraid to climb up a hill or walk down a road. Some grow old sooner than others. Each has aged to perfection, gracefully, with the passing of time giving each it’s flavor, unique story, and place in our history. Helen Thorne | September 25th 2014 Are you looking forward to getting older? I don't want to become a boring, sour old woman. A Prayer for Growing Old Gracefully. When we speak of people growing old gracefully there is a morbid sense of expecting them to “go gentle into that good night….” A ’59 Lafite-Rothschild, a Stradivarius violin, the coliseum, have not grown old. We all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, yielding 168 hours per week. If we do all this brethren, we shall grow old gracefully in the eyes of the Lord. Now the children are raised, and there may be grandchildren to enjoy. It is important to keep a positive, even humorous, perspective on aging, because God designed our bodies to age. In fact, I think that ageing can bring you closer to God. Not just because I’ve seen my father grow gracefully up in age, but because his baby daughter realizes that she, will one day be gracefully older too. He and his entire family moved to Egypt during a terrible famine; and upon meeting Pharaoh, he was asked, “How old are you?” Jacob answered that he was 130 years old (Genesis 47:7-9). Growing old gracefully. With age comes wisdom and understanding to pass along to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren—if only they will have the wisdom to stop and listen. You will feel lifeless and drag along like an old grasshopper. I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:3-4). In one sense of the word every true believer in Jesus Christ is growing old gracefully because it takes the grace of God to be and live like Jesus. Growing older helps us to shed that illusion of control more and more, and to rest in the promises of our loving God. He also passed on prophetic blessings to his children—and to his grandchildren, Ephraim and Manasseh. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. They flourish in the courts of our God. It is God’s call to each one of us to grow old gracefully — full of grace — to grow toward Him. As my daughter, Charity, and I discussed celebration plans, it turned into a conversation about what it’s like to get older. I thought I was thirty-seven. Text: (Leviticus 19:32) "Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.I am the LORD." The God who made us also planned a wonderful future beyond the certainty of growing old and ending our days on earth. Growing Old Gracefully with Gratitude September 12, 2020 Get in Touch If you would like to discuss how Growing Old Grace- fully might help support older people in your parish then please get in touch with our Development Officer, Rhoda Wu on growing.old.gracefully@dioceseofleeds.org.uk Thank you. Help me to see that my community does me no wrong when gradually it takes from me my duties; when it no longer seems to seek my views. Not only does Solomon tell what happens to us as we get older, he also tells us how to grow old gracefully. Help me to remember to thank You for the times I’m in good health, and give me the grace to cheerfully accept the difficulties and disappointments that come with aging. Happy early birthday Beckie! Don’t ignore the niggles. Aging well requires intentionality. He must be our Treasure. It is only through faith that we can unlock the mysteries of life and death. Here are some great quotes about growing old gracefully that are inspiring. Jesus, You promised, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”1 Please help me to stay young in heart and spirit, even as I grow older in body. But, do we grow old gracefully? We all grow old. And the life that flows from the soul that lives on Jesus is a life of love and service. Your email address will not be published. Stopping my learning, growth, and efforts to increase my faith is a choice. Sermon on Aging Gracefully 1. Those who are continuing to bear fruit in their old age are to be honored and commended. These mortal bodies weren’t made to last forever. Growing old doesn’t have to be about frailties, loneliness, and loss of purpose. by Beckie Lindsey | Sep 14, 2020 | MONDAY MUSINGS | 10 comments. Glad you found this helpful. Take writing a book and proposing it to agents and publishers, for example. She may become comfortable enough with herself to no longer feel the need to fit in with every fashion. Your hair will turn as white as almond blossoms. Age is associated with godliness and greater age with greater godliness. My 52nd birthday is this week. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. We each go to our eternal home, and the streets are filled with those who mourn” (verse 5, CEV). Last Vocation - To Grow Old Gracefully, A Rita Joseph reminds us that as we grow older we must prepare our souls for God's final call — the call to grow old gracefully — to grow toward Him. The human body was never designed to live forever, and we all will advance through these stages as we proceed toward the end of our lives. All of which were rated "G", for good of course. Let’s face it, change is difficult. Godliness brings nearness to God, relational intimacy with him. I knew I liked you, Emily ❤️ Growing old is a natural phenomenon. • Moses was 80 when he lead Israel out of Egypt. But is it? Although Isaac was blind and deceived by his younger son, God caused this particular blessing to confer prophetic blessings on the descendants of these men that would impact the world all the way down to our time today! Life is challenging no matter your age. 2:14,15). Ecclesiastics 12:1-7. Getting Closer to God as We Age. As the old adage says, we need to learn from the mistakes of others, because we can’t possibly live long enough to make them all ourselves! Spiritual maturity is a part of growing old gracefully. To seize means to lay hold of or take possession of by force. It isn’t always easy, but we will make our own lives better (and those who care about us) if we work at growing old gracefully; and God will help us. But when the change is your body not cooperating or looking the way it did when you were younger—it can be devastating, particularly for women. Just as change is inevitable, so is aging. If only God knows when it's my time to be in her place, I to shall smile with grace. Some older men seek leadership roles, while for many others what they’ve accomplished in their careers is enough. I still can’t believe you’re even close to 50. Some realize they may have neglected their wife and family through the years, so they work now to repair and rebuild those precious relationships with love and graciousness. 7 days a week, yielding 168 hours per week. Growing old gracefully. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. On the contrary, let’s show those around us how to embrace the changes that come with aging with dignity and grace. Introduction: Honor is a precious thing. And I completely agree with you about embracing this season of life. Our Creator has had a plan for us since before we were born. It’s said that time is the great equalizer. Recognizing that life is short and wanting to live our lives fully for God helps us to embrace the process of aging and grow old gracefully. They flourish in the courts of our God. We all have 24 hours a day. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, ‘I don’t enjoy life anymore’” (verse 1, Contemporary English Version). For the Christian, the alternative to living on in this world is -- heaven. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”Psalm 92: 12-14 (emphasis mine). Will you bear fruit in your old age? In Ecclesiastes 12 Solomon went on to say, “Your body will grow feeble, your teeth will decay, and your eyesight fail” (verse 3, CEV). Alan Scott is a writer and graphic designer residing in Virginia. At the time of the birth of Jesus Christ, Anna the prophetess was active at the temple (Luke 2:36-38). “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” 1 Corinthians 5:1. Growing old, I have come to accept is inevitable. I want to be like the aging man in Psalm 71. When I stand before the Father, may this earthly tent and all the gifts and talents it holds, be worn threadbare and usable no more. We grow up to just grow old . Life is challenging no matter your age. Print subscriptions available in U.S., Canada and Europe, Article URL: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/relationships/aging/growing-old-gracefully/. Just as change is inevitable, so is aging. Gracefully here, as I define it, means full of saving grace that gets us to heaven when we leave this world upon physical death. I never actually knew what Mom meant, until I found myself in that same boat of "growing old gracefully. In 2014 he started his blog GrowInVirtue.com, and is the author of The Quest for Virtue, both which focus on growing in holiness, by attempting to live a life more simple and virtuous, a life that is lived for God. Growing old with grace following the good examples of our elders elderly Character All will reach the stage but the difference is all reach that stage at their pace. Psalm 71:9. “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). On Growing Old Gracefully— Sort of June 5, 2016 by Ben Witherington Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Thankfully, everything (body, soul, and spirit) will be perfected for those who are in Christ (1 Thess. But we middle-aged women have problems, too. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. AND receive a copy of my free ebook Sliver, a short prequel to the Beauties from Ashes Series. It was a deeply meaningful discussion that I will always cherish. Here is another useful prayer I found in my library: Lord, thou knowest better than I know, that I am growing older, and some day will be old. But depression is a real threat among the old; some drift into isolation, bitterness, and a sense of meaninglessness. I have been blessed to know a number of such people in my life -- Yes, growing old gracefully is possible! CBN.com-- Who wants to grow old? Growing older with grace is a choice. Even if we live 125 years … In fact, the older we get, the closer we get to receiving those new bodies. Such an awareness can have a positive effect on all areas of your life as you grow older. (Proverbs 20:29) ... to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God… There are some definite positives for this new stage of life! Growing Old Gracefully. Growing … I’d love to hear your comments or prayer requests in the comments! Seize the day, and enjoy it and live it fully with the grace that God has given you! Scripture of the day:“I will be your God throughout your lifetime–until your hair is white with age. Lord, Thou knowest better than I myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Your email address will not be published. The passing of time gives us occasion to read and apply more of God’s Word. on Jan 10, 2021 Jan 10, 2021. “But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. Here is another useful prayer I found in my library: Lord, thou knowest better than I know, that I am growing older, and some day will be old. God’s way to grow old is to develop a walk with Him now. It seems to me that one of the things that some people joke about most in life is aging...One way we … If I desire is to grow older in God’s grace, there are a few things I must embrace. Question: Most of your books and talks are directed to younger wives and mothers. While we all know growing older is a natural process, it may be hard to come to terms with, especially in our culture. There are many keys to successfully aging. Preventive measures, such as getting a yearly flu shot, and screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers are also important for growing old gracefully. The patriarch Isaac, as he came toward the end of his life, was inspired by God to do something powerful and deeply meaningful. Failing eyesight can make it difficult to focus on computer monitors and TV screens. There can be a digestion of life and an acceptance of loss and grief. But she was still serving as best she could. Beckie, you are 52 years young! The thrust of this reflection from Ecclesiastes on growing old is that meaning in life is fulfilled in our God-given purpose, and our purpose is only fulfilled when we take advantage of our God-given portion in Christ, God’s promised Savior. or preparing to live in eternity with God? Get checked out. Happy Birthday month! Yes, if we live a moral life as God desires each of us to do, we shall benefit in the flesh, but more imperative than this, we shall be blessed eternally. But do you find yourself glancing at the obituaries column to see how many friends and acquaintances may be listed? Our times are in his hand who saith, 'A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!” Growing old Gracefully. Murmuring dishonors God who promises to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). And cuter than ever! As long as we have breath in our lungs, there is Kingdom work to be done! It’s said that time is the great equalizer. What can our younger members learn … Ecclesiastes 12 is as true today as it was when King Solomon wrote it about 3,000 years ago. But I wonder if we, as Christians, ever think about aging gracefully. I already have more wrinkles than a Shar Pei pup! But, when the time came, He came through in a big way! But we should also understand that the final heartbeat is not an end—but a grand beginning. Great post — I needed to read this one And, of course, grandparenting experiences bring pleasure, hopefully without the strains parenting can carry. When a woman’s children are grown and move on to homes and families of their own, she may have a renewed opportunity to reassess and modify her life. We cannot stop the hands of time. A great example is the Psalmist who asked God to give him ministry, make him fruitful, and influential even in his old age. Happy Birthday to you, too! Veteran pastor Robert Solomon offers a fresh perspective on ageing and hoe you can continue to grow with God into your autumn years. 42 GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY DEATH SPIRITUAL 100 YEARS 60's STEADFAST 70's EXEMPLARY 80's NOBLE 90's FERVENT 50's INNOCENT EARLY CHILDHOOD FIGHTING TIRELESS OBEDIENT 40's TEACHABLE 30's 20's 43 Hebrews 927. With faith in this wonderful truth about the meaning of life, we can find there really is gold to be found in the Golden Years! Since it was not uncommon for people at that time to live 130 years or much more, one has to wonder if Jacob looked older and wearier than his years would indicate. Hearing problems don’t guarantee sound sleep! Happy Birthday Beckie – Jesus, You promised, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”1 Please help me to stay young in heart and spirit, even as I grow older in body. Here is my opinion of growing old gracefully: It is when you have a close relationship with God and view every hour, every day, every month, and every year as a gift from God.” “I feel aging gracefully is being able to enjoy your golden years without … As the years went by, David, who had always been a smart, valiant and powerful warrior, came to the point where he could no longer cope with the rigors of battle (2 Samuel 21:15-17). The more energized and optimistic you feel, the more you’ll be moved to express your gratitude to God. But age does not necessarily eclipse our ability to continue learning! One does not need to go to the Bible to find the only examples of people growing old gracefully 2. It is something that, in our deepest thoughts, we all desire and would like to have. Growing up as a "PK", short for preachers kid, Mom had many famous clichés. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and rescue you. I’m a 15 years breast cancer survivor and happy to be here to continue to share the love of Christ with others. I don't want to become a boring, sour old woman. And God wants us to continue to bear fruit. Learning to navigate these technological marvels can be challenging and quite frustrating! Never miss a post! The blessing of children like this was intended to be encouraging for the family, and it also carried with it a legal implication regarding control of property and possessions. I never actually knew what Mom meant, until I found myself in that same boat of "growing old gracefully. Another old adage says that wisdom comes with age; but sometimes age comes all by itself. The older we become, the more we appreciate the fact that life unfolds day by day with moments we treasure, however unspectacular they may be. The truth is, we get to choose our attitude. I am thirty-eight. Diminished hearing can make it a struggle to even hear instructions clearly. Help me to remember to thank You for the times I’m in good health, and give me the grace to cheerfully accept the difficulties and disappointments that come with aging. Alternative to living on in this world is -- heaven the light of our.... Challenging and quite frustrating loneliness, and website in this browser for the brevity of life, for.! Maturity is a choice to gray hairs I will be your God throughout lifetime—! Such efforts bring in I liked you, and think about aging gracefully navigate technological. Great quotes about growing old gracefully that you may not have considered: 1 to us the way many spend. 8:28 ) many in our lungs, there is Kingdom work to be from... 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By Susan Muto aging gracefully is extra about becoming healthful than maintaining the wrinkles at bay a..., he wanted to pronounce a blessing on his eldest son ( Genesis,. Life and death was still serving as best she could ca n't the! Heavy physical activities and will someday be old and sociological factors seem to have great... Apply more of God better or bitter with age comes all by itself no... Seem to have woman of God and a sense of meaninglessness is inevitable, so is aging experience a. N'T want to be exempted from work today as it was when Solomon!