This article is adapted from Charles Morris’ weekly audio commentary. Click here to hear the full segment.
“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” A quote from Madeleine L’Engle, the author of the bestselling book A Wrinkle in Time. She also happens to be a Christian.
It’s been said that with age comes wisdom, kindness, confidence and ease. Each morning when we are together, my wife and I—both now in our sixties—find that our prayers are spent more on those who are older than us, as well as some who are younger. Both of us still have moms who are living and require increasingly more attention.
For my wife, it’s getting ready next month for what will probably be the final move for her mother into one of those assisted care facilities. For my mom, we all thought last year would be her final year on earth, but it wasn’t … she made it to 100. Now with dementia setting in more, her pastor, her doctor and others are saying this will be the year she heads home to heaven.
Getting older finds us with responsibilities in both age directions. This week, our daughter has surgery that will be followed by a completely different surgery a few weeks later. Guess who’s expected to be close by? Her mother.
But aging also means that you begin praying more for your own physical needs. Last week, I was praying for my first surgery to remove my first cataract.
Everyone in the family was praying and standing by for news from the three-minute laser procedure. Thankfully, my anxiety was put to rest when I found out they would NOT be inserting a deadening needle into my eye. Turns out the shot went just below my eye, but it still hurt. I’m not looking forward to needle #2 for the other eye.
I received even more comfort when I found out my surgeon was a Christian who listened to HAVEN Today while in medical school. And still more comfort when he asked to pray for me and his part in the name of Jesus. It was a great time to share my faith with others in the surgical suite.
Mike Love, an American singer, had it right when he said this about getting older, “… you get a chance to tell people in your life how much they mean to you.” As I get older and face new challenges, I know Jesus is on my side. I’m in his hands. And that’s a great comfort to me as I share with others my own thoughts on getting older.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As the leader of the Haven Ministries, Charles Morris is always thinking of ways to lead Christians and non-Christians to Christ—hence the familiar slogan, “Telling the great story … it’s all about Jesus.” A former secular journalist, Charles has worked for United Press International, and as a press secretary for two former U.S. senators. He and his wife, Janet, have authored several books, including Missing Jesus. Charles’ latest book is Fleeing ISIS, Finding Jesus: The Real Story of God At Work.
1 Comment
My life has been up and down. Through my prime age I call it between 22-35 I to felt that inner strength that Jesus was always there and with me and I had nothing to fear. I could quit anything with his power and might as in smoking, drugs, alcohol, and anything that may not be pleasing to him, but of course I still sinned everyday but had that assurance he was there for me and battling my problems. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and in and out of mental institutions that I realized my faith was more in myself rather than church and Jesus. I started collecting things that I found or bought and put the puzzle pieces to understand my faith and it seems I have a faith in my name George more than anything else. It just strange to me but being 42 and not particularly wanting to partner up with anyone I’ve found peace in just being myself. I do still smoke but that is a test on myself that gives me tremendous difficulties each day that include paranoia, depression, and many other mental health problems. I hope that one day to kick the habit but I also fear the replacements of one bad habit. Anyways, I do still pray but often think I pray to myself because my days are harder and harder each day. One question I ask myself is WHY. Just saying that alone will get my ultimate answer maybe in this life or next or heaven or hell. But WHY is what I mostly live by.