Aging Gracefully - Martin Wiles

I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. Isaiah 46:4 NLT

I look around the room and suddenly realize: I’m old enough to be their grandfather.

My middle schoolers love for me to tell them stories of how things were when I was their age. As I perch on my stool and tell them the stories and watch their brains try to wrap around a world they’ve never experienced, I suddenly realize I’m old enough to be their grandfather. The scenario is déjà vu for I can remember my grandparents doing the same thing with me.

I’m not afraid of growing old. In fact, it’s fun. I’ve gained experiences I can share with my children, grandchildren, and students. I love life, and I still pile as much on my daily plate as I can do without exhausting myself. Yet, age is starting to take its toll.

I can’t do what I once could. I strain to lift a fifty-pound bag of birdseed. Bending over is more painful. I look to see what else I can do while I’m in the bent-over position. I can’t walk as fast as I once could, and exercise—while good for my body—taxes my joints just the same. Names of people I’ve known for years escape me. Sometimes I can’t remember the names of students who I see five days per week—another source of laughter for them.

Although my body and mind are changing as I age, one thing remains the same. As with the prophet, God has remained my God throughout my lifetime. From the moment I met Him when I was nine years old until now, He’s stayed faithful. He has cared for me and carried me through every circumstance in life. And I have faith He’ll continue to do the same until I breathe my final breath or until He returns for me.

Age alters our bodies, but God never changes. Jesus said He would never leave His children—and He won’t. Even if our minds and bodies cease functioning properly, He’s still close by, tending to our every need. He remains faithful to the promises in His Word, no matter how long we live. He will deliver His people through sickness, disease, hard times, brokenness, and death. 

Age may slow you down, but don’t give up on God’s work. He will enable you to bear fruit as long as you have breath.

Tweetable: Are you aging gracefully?

Prayer: Father, sustain us as we age that we might continue to serve You. 

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