There's Advantages In Growing Old!

There's advantages in growing old! For example, the turbulence of youth is long gone, with all of its quarrels, adolescent adjustments and secret fears. There's no need in maturity to explain oneself anymore. An older person is usually accepted for what he is and as he is.

As one grows older, attitudes and values change. Instead of being eager to reform our fellowman, we are more concerned to understand them. We cease to look for new friends, because the old and tested ones become dearer.

An evening at home takes priority over a night of friendly frivolity. One lives more in the present and less in the future. One suddenly sees new beauty in familiar things, such as a beautiful sunset; a naked tree silhouetted against a fall sky; in shadows on the winter snow; in the outstretched arms of a little child.

Old age is not a time of life. Rather, it's more of a quality or state of mind, brought about by deep thought and reflection.

Regarding the righteous in old age, God tells us:

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing" (Psalm 92:12-14).

Note that the righteous "shall still bear fruit in old age."

Dear reader, there's advantages in growing old!

 —Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets