The Wisdom of Age

I visited with an older member of the congregation today, one I had been told was having some health issues. It would appear that what I was told has been addressed, but others still loom. This down-to-earth person told me that the only real sorrow was the inability to have learned a serenity and acceptance of life only so late in life. I understand that thought completely! It does seem a bit unfair that during the years we think ourselves indestructible we should never gain that acceptance that something just happen, and all we can do is acknowledge that it did, and go on with life. Past is past, and cannot be regained. What worked won't necessarily work again. What was right may be proven wrong. Witness what has happened in medicine with the reverses that have happened on several fronts over and over. This is bad for you, a new study shows its good, that expert warns against it, and that one is on television touting its benefits.

God has a plan for us, and sometimes that requires that those who have gone before, or those who have gone beyond - educationally, experiences, whatever - be allowed to guide us through some changes that may well push us into new directions, and help us to grow in amazing ways - though not necessarily in the ways we wish.

This congregation suffered the deaths of some great saints of the church, all within a relatively short time. Last night, at our Blue Christmas Service, we allowed time to grieve, asked to remember to good times, and to consider how we might take the best, most important parts of their lives present in our lives to help others. Three of the women there, with tears in their eyes, or streaming down their cheeks, paused to thank me for allowing that statement that Christmas isn't always that joyous occasion we would like. Again, age teaches us lessons of reality and hope - for while they grieve, they also understand that life does indeed go on, though a gap may seem to be there now where once he or she or they once stood.

But close your eyes, allow your memories to play, and you will find that you can be with that one you miss, talk with them, laugh, cry, and have the companionship you need. God's love and signs of hope are all around and in us. Peace!