Wrinkles Don't Bring Wisdom. God Does
Years ago I remember approaching my grandmother as she was in the door of the bathroom at my parents' house. I wished her a happy birthday. I don't remember which birthday it was. I only remember that she was old enough that at my young age the number could take my breath away, most likely 80 plus. She said she didn't feel that old but when she looked at all her wrinkles she knew she was that age.
I doubt I understood the amazement she felt as she faced another birthday, but as I turn 63 I now get it. Over the past few years I periodically notice a few extra wrinkles here or there or a different texture of my skin. These unexpected signs along with others bear witness to the unstoppable march of time. I have often bemoaned the fact that we can't notice them little by little. Why does it seem like I've been pushed into a chair under a bright light and been forced to examine the contours of my face in the reflection of one of those magnifying mirrors? Wouldn't it be nice if we could gently ease our way into aging? Only recently I shared this sentiment with a friend.
It occurred to me today why it happens as it does. When I have one of those "Oh my goodness is that what I look like!" moments, I am briefly stunned and then life goes back to normal. If I eased my way into aging would it really be easy or would I be so conscious of every wrinkle and age spot that I would not want to try anything new or continue to do many of those things that give my life meaning? Would I feel the heaviness of every year? Even now I tend to throw up my hands in discouragement about those things that I feel like I should have mastered long ago. "Why even try at my age?"
The simple answer to this question is the character of God. His steadfastness and love do not change no matter what my age. Philippians 1:6 says "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Ephesians 2:10 says that each of us is "His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand" We are God's good work and we are chosen to do good work. These truths do not stop no matter what our age. God is a trustworthy workman and will complete his work. None of us are complete while we can still take a breath. Whether you are twenty nine with 2 children under 5 or sixty three and grandmother to four almost five, each of us can trust that we will always have work to do, and the master workman will continue completing His work in us. Age has little bearing when it comes to the work of our father. We are all children in need of His care.
I doubt I understood the amazement she felt as she faced another birthday, but as I turn 63 I now get it. Over the past few years I periodically notice a few extra wrinkles here or there or a different texture of my skin. These unexpected signs along with others bear witness to the unstoppable march of time. I have often bemoaned the fact that we can't notice them little by little. Why does it seem like I've been pushed into a chair under a bright light and been forced to examine the contours of my face in the reflection of one of those magnifying mirrors? Wouldn't it be nice if we could gently ease our way into aging? Only recently I shared this sentiment with a friend.
It occurred to me today why it happens as it does. When I have one of those "Oh my goodness is that what I look like!" moments, I am briefly stunned and then life goes back to normal. If I eased my way into aging would it really be easy or would I be so conscious of every wrinkle and age spot that I would not want to try anything new or continue to do many of those things that give my life meaning? Would I feel the heaviness of every year? Even now I tend to throw up my hands in discouragement about those things that I feel like I should have mastered long ago. "Why even try at my age?"
The simple answer to this question is the character of God. His steadfastness and love do not change no matter what my age. Philippians 1:6 says "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Ephesians 2:10 says that each of us is "His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand" We are God's good work and we are chosen to do good work. These truths do not stop no matter what our age. God is a trustworthy workman and will complete his work. None of us are complete while we can still take a breath. Whether you are twenty nine with 2 children under 5 or sixty three and grandmother to four almost five, each of us can trust that we will always have work to do, and the master workman will continue completing His work in us. Age has little bearing when it comes to the work of our father. We are all children in need of His care.
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