I’m not one

to speak much

about getting old

 

to recite the aches

and pains,

tiredness and slowing

 

And I guess I got that

from my parents

who still act youthful

 

never really talking about getting old

and how things don’t work

like they used to

 

It’s refreshing

and it’s good to be around

elders like that

 

For getting older

may be tough physically

but what beauty awaits the young!

 

God tells us

that the longer we walk with Him,

the more rooted we become

 

The more we take in Him

and His Words,

the more we flourish and grow

 

What a profound truth!

 

As we get weaker,

as we bow lower,

we can be stronger

 

than ever before

 

Strengthened inwardly

standing taller

grounding deeper

 

in Truth

 

Bearing more

and more

and more

fruit

 

the longer we live

 

And not focusing

on what is feeble

but on what is strong

 

and that is

our character

our hope

our perseverance

 

our relationship with Jesus

who walks with us

 

And the older we get

the wiser we get

and the closer we get

to eternity’s home

 

Our graduation

to bliss

and God-awareness

and pure light

 

Forever

 

So the temporary aches

and temporary slowing

is just that

 

temporary

 

But what is growing

and flourishing

inside

 

is Forever

 

Don’t listen to the world

about aging,

Listen to God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

But the godly will flourish like palm trees
    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
    They flourish in the courts of our God.
Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.
They will declare, “The Lord is just!
    He is my rock!
    There is no evil in Him!”

Psalm 92:12-15 (NLT)

 

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

– 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)

 

The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].

– Proverbs 20:29 (AMP)

 

The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

–  Proverbs 16:31 (AMP)

 

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.

– Job 12:12 (NLT)

 

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in His hand who saith, ‘A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!

– Robert Browning

 

 

Photos by Susie & Arik Stewart