Carol J German

Who is with me? Who is feeling the pangs of maturity? Who has some miles under their feet and aches in their joints, wrinkles on their faces that should really not be there as well as graying hair? What makes growing old not as exciting as one thought when you reach the stage of grown kids and a quiet house. How did time pass in such a way that retirement is staring you in the face?

Wait, retirement? That means your mortality is also staring you down.

For some, this stage is exciting, but for most it is a daunting reality that life is passing by at lightening speed. This empty-nest stage comes with a whole new list of challenges that no one thinks of in their younger years. But it comes, and it comes way before you are ready.

My husband and I arrived in this changing of seasons. Our kids are grown and moved away. We have three beautiful grandsons. Despite some usual signs of aging, we are healthy and have some nice comforts. We celebrated 35 years of marriage yesterday. While this is quite an achievement, the wear and tear of every day life has a hold on us. We find ourselves easily focused on the world around us more than the One who gave us so many blessings in over three decades. We get fixed on unanswered prayers, wishes that might not have come to pass, selfish expectations, while adding in regret. “What if I chose another path instead?” We play the old tapes of what could have been in our heads or new tapes of what we want individually and become discontented with God and each other. Our differences become the enemy rather than letting the Spirit unite us.

Suddenly, when the older decades arrive, you become disgruntled. You become ungrateful. You take your life for granted. You look in the mirror and see an unrecognizable face. The career you loved is coming to an end and the idea of retirement is scary. It is so unknown with free time that feels foreign.

Growing old isn’t for sissies. This final stage is one to be rejoiced over for many do not ever see it. This mature stage is one to be thankful for. You have experienced life. And if you have chosen Christ, you are experiencing real life for the living God lives within you! In Christ, you have a purpose. This purpose is to be carried out until God takes you home. So while mortality is staring you down, for a believer, it is the greatest achievement! You will pass through death and enter into eternity with Jesus Christ! The best is yet to come.

This achievement deserved celebrating as you age out of this life. This truth should be dictating your life goals as your earthly responsibilities become less and less. What would God have for you to do in your latter years? What does the Bible say about every believer’s focus? God’s Word gives you the answer to how you should be living. It is the same whether you are young or old.

Whatever season you are in, celebrate it for God is with you. He is helping you to love Him more while you decline the things in this world. If you are holding on to earthly things, you will be unsatisfied; in your job, your marriage, even in your hobbies. Your mind will be carnal and not spiritual, and you will always crave something different. Become satisfied in what matters and allow God to fill you with what eternally matters.

Let’s all age gracefully.