March 10, 2020 – Click here to listen
Much of the hoopla about the coronavirus from those trying to calm the masses is centered on telling people that youngsters are at little risk. I just received an update from a Holy Land trip I’m signed up for stating that things were fine over there and it was trying to reassure me by telling me that only the elderly are actually dying from it. Uh huh – The problem with that is I’m an elderly person.
My kids and others get angry with me because I can’t hear very well and criticize my driving because I can’t see as well, and my reflexes aren’t lightning fast. My little dog is 11 years old and he can’t see or hear very well either and yet they seem to baby that little hound and show sympathy for him far more than me. What’s up with that?
I took my annual physical the other day and I made the mistake of complaining about getting tired more than I did in my youth and I guessed I was just getting old. He looked at me with disgust and lectured me for a half an hour telling me I wasn’t old, and his tests and bloodwork indicated that my cholesterol is perfect as is my PSA, blood pressure, liver function, and for all practical purposes, I was strong as a bull. He told me that I should reach 85 before my body would start failing me.
Well hearing the doctor was encouraging but I told him all those broken bones I have amassed, particularly during my misspent youth, cry out when the weather changes and arthritis kicks my tail. He looked at me rather contemptuously and told me growing old was not for sissies. Grrrr . . . I responded through gritted teeth, “This old boy ain’t no sissy doc.” I wondered who the sissy would be if I popped him hard in the nose.
In spite of what anyone says, there are moments when getting old is not a pleasant state to be in. All of you youngsters should know that getting old is not fun. King Solomon wrote this in Eccl 12:3 In old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world. You can’t come and go at will. Things grind to a halt. The hum of the household fades away. You are wakened now by bird-song. Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past. Even a stroll down the road has its terrors. Your hair turns apple-blossom white, Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body. Yes, you’re well on your way to eternal rest, While your friends make plans for your funeral. Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends. Yesterday I came across this video and it is a shame King Solomon couldn’t have seen it and perhaps he wouldn’t have been such a doomsday scribe.
Getting old can be a bad experience with physical problems, but also with family that forgets you, especially widows and widowers. So with all that why would someone want to get old? Some don’t – They sit in their chairs and are full of self-pity and long for the good old days. Jonathan Swift said: “Every man desires to live long, but no man desires to be old.” . . .
I am one of those who believes we don’t quit playing because we grow old—we grow old because we quit playing. With that in mind I’m very active I enjoy church and everything about it, working out, fishing and spring turkey season is just a couple of weeks away and those big gobblers will be gobbling their hearts out. We have many friends that we enjoy going to dinner with and just being around and love to see our kids and grandkids.
My doctor did tell me that NOW was the time to do the things I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve done so much in my life I really don’t have much of a bucket list left, but I am interested in opportunities to lead more folks to Christ. I have the heart of an evangelist. I pray that God will give me those opportunities for years to come.
Live, laugh and love and remember there is no cure for the common birthday! Enjoy it while you can and remember the idea is to die young – as late as possible!
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.