Today is my sister’s birthday. I am not saying she is old, but she can see it from where she is. 😊 Now that I’ve started the day by making her mad, let’s get to the psalm. It is a psalm of growing old. Verse 9 says, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” Verse 18 says, “Even when I am old and gray do not forsake me, my God.” David is struggling with the feelings of diminishing worth that come with aging.
Some evenings Doris and I will be watching television, usually Wheel of Fortune. Along with yelling at the contestants about what letter to choose, or commenting on Vana White’s dress, we notice the commercials. I will say to her, “Except for the commercials about Long Term Care insurance and incontinence, the advertisers do not consider us at all. It is easy to feel like we don’t matter anymore.
But David also gives us some good things to keep us busy in our old, gray years.
- Verse 7, “I have become a sign to many.” Whether in your old age or in your time of trouble, the way you handle the difficult seasons of life is a lesson for those around you. You can be a sign of faith and faithfulness by holding on to God.
- Verse 15, “My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds.” Let’s face it, if we have been around for as many years as Chonda has, we have had the opportunity to see God do some pretty good stuff. Our job at this stage is to tell people about that.
- Verse 18, “I declare your power to the next generation.” Every Paul should have a Timothy. Every old saint should have a young person they are mentoring and pouring into, even if it’s just our kids and grandkids. Teach them about God’s power.
Listen, “the old gray mare may not be what she used to be,” (Oh, calm down. I’m just using a metaphor. I’m not talking about Chonda.) but God is not finished with her, or me, or you. We have value. There are important things we are supposed to be doing for the Kingdom. So, go cash your Social Security check and get busy. And how do you find the courage to do that? David starts the psalm with that answer. “In You, Lord, I have taken Refuge…Be my Rock of Refuge to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress.” (verses 1 & 3)
So, happy birthday Chonda. When you start speaking to me again, remember I love you, and God is our Rock and Refuge and Fortress. 😊 😊
Thank you
Thank you . Just what I needed today. 😊
I just found your blog today. I know God led me to it. I will be 78 years old this month. My husband passed away Mar. 8 last year. God is doing a thing right now. He is making a way where there is no way. I am moving to Kokomo to a condo since I am no longer able to do the outside upkeep. God is using my daughter and Son in love to do this. When I told my daughter what I would like to do her husband said you know I’m all investing in real estate. And just like that. We went Saturday and looked and it’s all over but the paperwork! God is the Waymaker and He alone gets all he glory. I grands and greats there and nieces and nephews. My 2 children are close also. He certainly makes a way in the wilderness and streams in my desert. I raise a Hallelujah! And now he has blessed me with your blog. I have known Chonda since the sunflower on hat days and fell in love with her. I have came through some very hard things like an unwanted divorce, my dad taking his life, and my husband’s passing but I know God is doing a new thing and I am all aboard and I’m not going to miss the train. Brothers and sisters we have work to do! Look forward to this blog being one of my new best friends!
Betty, praise God for your response and for your testimony. You encouraged me.