The magazine, RealSimple.com had a neat article in its June edition. It was entitled, “Five Great Things about Getting lder.” (Since I turned 62 this year, I am very interested in this topic!) The five things commented upon were submitted by those at least 55 years old, one was 74 and the oldest was 89 years old.

The first great thing was the statement that you and I will be happier the older we get.  The contention was that as we age we become more emotionally stable and content. We are past the early adulthood questions about finding a soul-mate, which career to choose and so on. Instead, when we are older, we don’t have to resolve all the “what ifs” and can enjoy things more, relax more and suffer through less stress.

The second great observation noted with age, wise decisions will come more easily. Apparently between the ages of 40 and 86 we reach our cognitive peak and our brains are then able to build up all sorts of connections. Those connections help us become better problem solvers. Look at the age of judges!

The third great thing is the simple statement that the “fashion police will be off our backs.” We can wear what feels good and ignore the prevailing fashion statements. If it doesn’t feel good, we don’t wear it!

The fourth statement affirms that older folks know who they are. The tentative fear behavior of our younger years is gone. We know ourselves; we know the sound of our voices and what we believe. We can engage in all kinds of activities with confidence.

And lastly, the authors acknowledged that as we grow older we will have much more discretionary time on our hands. We can choose to devote that time to sharing with others. Mentoring can become a real focus of life. We can concentrate on leaving a legacy, not just living a life.

Most modern Americans spend an inordinate amount of time, interest and money trying desperately to ignore the obvious signs of aging. I think these five authors are onto something. God indeed provides for every time of life, including our waning years. Isaiah 58:11 says, “The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

My Bible says that wisdom is found among the aged (Job 12:12). It affirms that our work on earth is not completed until we declare His power to the next generation (Ps. 71:9-18). Grey hair is the splendor of older folks (Proverbs 20:29). And God promises to sustain us “I have made you and I will carry you, I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isa. 46:4).

So this week if your bones creek a bit, you squint to read, you walk with a limp and you are asleep before the good stuff comes on TV, remember that “God will strengthen the feeble hands and steady the knees that give way” (Isa. 35:3-4). There really are great things about getting older!

By His Grace and for His Glory,
Sherry L. Worel