“Age is an issue of mind over matter.
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Mark Twain
It's my birthday this week…and it's a BIG ONE! Fear of old age is the false assumption that I still have many years of life ahead of me! We are to number our days correctly that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psa. 90: 10-12) I’m not too far from being an antique or a legend. However, my mother, who turned 99 January 2nd is even closer to claiming those titles! My “young at heart” Mom gives new meaning to …“It’s not how old you are; but how you are old!” Marie Dressler
Have I mentioned how grateful I am for my partner in life who is growing old with me? For the last 53 years this journey has never had a dull moment! For those of you who know us, you know that I was looking forward to growing older…not old!...with this wonderful man, thinking he would mellow with age…I’m still waiting!
I was reminded of the advantages of aging. You know, like…Leviticus 19: 32 that says my time has come that when I enter a room others will “stand (to show honor and respect) when (I, now qualifying as one of) your elders, enter…” and “Is not wisdom found among the aged?”(Job 12: 12) Since I quoted Job…his three friends were trying to sympathize and comfort him with the thought, “Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.” Quite an expectation…no pressure there!
An Almighty God who holds my journey in His hands has blessed me beyond measure. “This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness. Not health, but healing. Not being, but becoming. Not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we will be, but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished, but it is going on. This is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.” Martin Luther
I look forward to the future with this promise that comes with age, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you, I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isa. 46:4)
Sooo…
Happy Birthday
To me and to all of you
who are embracing this year as a…BIG ONE!
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
