02.26.21—The old year!--Shadows!--Job 30:31
My friend, may I ask you a question? Why does our society today tend to look at senior as old people, deserving little respect or honor for having coped and dealt with life for many decades?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I’m M. Clifford Brunner
I got old so slowly I didn’t notice it much until recently. There were the usual red flags: gray hair, baldness, birthday cakes with too many candles, being offered senior discounts, watching my kids celebrate birthdays in multiples of decades, and adopting bedtimes before ten o’clock. I didn’t readily see these things as harbingers of old age, however. Recently I got a wake up call. Walking out of a local bank I heard a car screeching around the corner. A horn blared and I looked up. It was two young guys driving by. One leaned out of the window and yelled, “Yeah, you old man; you!” He pointed at me and laughed as they drove away. He was just having a good time, saw a balding, gray haired man leaving the bank and decided to mock. At that instance old age slowly poured itself over me. I truly felt old, intimidated and vulnerable. It was a stark realization. To those young men I truly looked the part of an older man.
Here’s a thought from Ann Landers. “Man is like an automobile. As it gets older, the differential starts slipping, and the u-joints get worn, causing the drive shaft to go bad. The transmission won't go into high gear and sometimes has difficulty getting out of low. The cylinders get worn and loose compression, making it hard to climb the slightest incline. When it is climbing, the tappets clatter and ping to the point where one wonders if the old bus will make it to the top. The carburetor gets fouled with pollutants and other matter, making it hard to get started in the morning. It is hard to keep the radiator filled because of the leaking hose. The thermostat goes out, making it difficult to reach operating temperature. The headlights grow dim, and the horn gets weaker. The memory chip drops a few bytes, and the battery needs constant recharging. But if the body looks good with no bangs, dents or chipping paint, we can keep it washed and polished, giv- ing the impression that it can compete with the newer models and make one more trip down the primrose lane before the head gasket blows. Gentlemen, start your engines.” (Ann Landers)
We all get older, slower, less beautiful and, yes, more senior. The time is coming soon when I know that I will become fully compatible, even comfortable with my old age. I’m sure that it’s just around the corner. How sad that we live in a society that doesn’t celebrate old age as in some Eastern cultures. “You old man!” You know Lord, I am content with my years despite the mocking of those boys. These gaskets haven’t blown yet and although the body has a few dings and dents, it still polishes up pretty well, thanks. We all get there. I only wish that I could tell those mocking boys that they were looking at their future as well as my present. My engine still starts for the present.
We pray. Heavenly Father. You know Lord, we are content with our years despite those younger who may be disrespectful and mocking us. Parts of these bodies You so graciously blessed us with have a few dings and dents now, but they still polish up pretty well, thanks Lord. We know all get there. We only wish that we could tell those who mock us that they were looking at their future as well as our present. Our engines still start for the present. Our purpose remains with You. God please grant that this youthful culture may someday discover the wonder of age. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.