"NOW THAT I AM OLD AND GRAY"

The sun was barely up with the dawn of an early morning.  Inside the convent chapel, a small group of nuns were reciting Morning Office. And then it happened - again! The young nuns, who only seconds earlier were praying solemnly, began to giggle. We had reached that part of Psalm 71 (vs. 18) where we had to recite:

"Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God ..."

You had to be there. We were all in our early 20's and we never could get past that line without losing it. The only one who did not find it humorous was Mother Superior, and she WAS gray.

A few years ago, a movie hit the theaters: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". While only a fictional story, which was originally penned by F. Scott Fitzgerald, I found myself fascinated as I watched. Benjamin Button was diagnosed at birth with several aging diseases and was given little chance of survival. Benjamin not only survived, but he got younger with time. He aged backwards. An old man at birth; a child as he chronologically aged.

I have to tell you, I identified with Benjamin! A lot! Emotionally, in some ways, I have aged backwards - hence the reason for the Benjamin-identification. Benjamin was born an old man. Early in life, I became an old woman. Like Benjamin, I survived. 16 years ago, I was "born" and in my today, I am a youth, reveling in the years that have been restored to me ... those same years which the locusts had eaten. Not an old woman emotionally anymore, I have gotten younger.

Part of living for me in my today is - experiencing the joy of my youth. Much of that is due to the Family of God within which He has planted me.

Life is meant to be embraced and enjoyed, I believe. It is a precious gift. For as long as life lasts, and I am able, I shall Praise The Lord for Life ... My Life, and a life that is now so much more abundant than in my days of old.

Psalm 71:18  begins as above:

"Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God ...

and finishes:

... till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come."

Some of us "grow old gracefully." Some of us fight aging for as long as we can.  I am of the latter group. Even so, aging is inevitable.

Yet, today, I declare to all who will hear, both young and old, and for those who are yet to come of the power of the Almighty.

Gone are the days when those old convent walls received the joy of our youthful laughter. Only The Lord knows the stories life has given my fellow sisters since last I saw them.

But for all of us who believe, we can trust that - whether it be about aging, or any other issue for that matter -

Jesus is the source of our joy. Only He truly heals the brokenhearted. He saves those who are crushed in spirit. He binds up our wounds, physically, emotionally, spiritually. He opens prison doors and sets captives free ... that would be us when we are experiencing our issues. And we are so in need of Him.

He is our God, our Magnificent Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and He is   ... Mighty to Save.

Amen ~