Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. —Proverbs 16:31
As a friend was celebrating her milestone birthday of 70 years, she said that 70 is the new 40. Everyone laughed. That particular friend goes over and beyond and certainly does not seem to be “OLD.”
I have passed several milestone birthdays. I do not feel old most of the time. Where did the time go? How did my son get to be as old as he is? He was only a baby a few months ago. How could I have possibly been married for so long? Our wedding was not that long ago.
Now, when I tried to skip a few months ago and could not get off the ground, I felt old. That was so easy before, and I always had fun skipping. Several months later, I tried to hop and could not do that. I figured it was because I had so much weight to lift and did not want to think it was because of the date of my birth. I cannot open the caps on water bottles some days. It pains me to think that I have lost that much strength in my hands.
My husband has told me several times recently that we are old. I asked him not to say that, even though it is true. We cannot learn to scuba dive because of the calendar, and we cannot do on a cruise what we did thirty years ago. We have learned to take many things much slower than we have previously done. Naps were always appreciated, but now they come at unexpected times and sometimes unintentionally.
Through it all, God has been a constant in my life. He has been there for all those birthdays and ordinary days. God’s LOVE is ever present whether we are a newborn babe or a woman with a crown of gray hair. God’s LOVE will never be taken away even if other feelings or abilities become diminished or disappear altogether. God loves us all very much.
As this Christian season of LOVE is upon us, remember to show God’s LOVE to all that you meet whether they have aged out or not.
Father of us all, continue to love us, no matter what color our hair is or even if we do not have hair. Let us show that love to others whom we meet each day. Guide us in your way of Love. Amen
Daphne G. Grady