Recently I taught my old farm helper how to drive my tractor. He caught on rather quickly and plowed fields for several hours and when through was limping around like a stiff-legged old dog’. He slowly got down off the tractor and held his back and grimaced.
Contrast that with a youngster who came over to spread fertilizer for me over the same fields. When finished he jumped down off the tractor and was bouncing around chattering like a magpie that could not stop.
My old farm worker and I looked at each other and shook our old gray heads. We couldn’t understand, (hear), a single word he said. Finally, I told him, “I’m sorry but I can’t hear a word you’re saying,” and pointed to my ear.
“That’s all right no need for apologies,” the youngster smiled, “You’ve paid your dues.”
Hmmm . . . This young guy seemed a lot wiser than his years. After over 7 decades I suppose I am entitled to be a little hard of hearing and slow to walk. Most young people including my children and grandchildren seem very perturbed when I cannot hear so well, or see, or walk fast, or get out of a car quickly.
What they fail to realize is that there was a time when I could do all of that with ease. They don’t seem to realize that all of us are heading in the same direction. The train left the station for many of us several decades ago, others are just getting started, but we all will ultimately reach our final destination sooner or later. Some will be allowed just a short ride and others a very long ride. It seems my ride has lasted far longer than anyone would’ve believed, especially me and though the train is not flying down the track anymore, it is still clack, clack, clacking along.
When I think of all that has transpired in my life it is amazing to me that this old body has held up as well as it has. In fact, it’s a wonder that I’m alive at all. So, if I don’t hear so well, or see like a youngster, or move as quickly as I once did, instead of moaning about it I should just thank God that He has allowed me to see another sunrise this morning.
Many refer to our latter years as golden years. So, what are we supposed to do in our golden years? The Bible declares in Psalm 71:18 – So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.
Granted many to whom you witness will not want to listen, but Psalm 2:14 declares even at an old age we will still bear fruit: They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green . . .
Some do listen!
Lev. 19:32
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”