PrintMy mum used to say that "life begins at forty". My friend agrees but with a qualification: "Yes, life begins at forty. It begins to disintegrate"!! For me, I think that the 5th decade of my life was the most fulfilling. It was after that I began to disintegrate - physically, at least.
I suppose I look at the younger generations these days with a touch of envy. If I knew then what I know now...?? Oh, don't kid yourself, Mike. I don't really believe that I would have responded all that differently.
Nonetheless, at times I do resent the limitations that come with age. At other times I am glad that I no longer have to prove anything to anyone.
Last week I had a coffee break with another friend. As we talked, he made reference to a few verses he had come across in the Psalms. I suddenly realised that these same verses were given to me some years ago and last week it was like a reminder that I very much needed.
But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into 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. ( Psalms 92:12-14 NLT)
"Flourish" is not a word that I would use to describe how I feel some days. Similarly, "vital and green" is not what I would use to explain how I mostly experience life. But I do longingly read that "even in old age they will still produce fruit".
Now that I am officially "retired" (I prefer "refocused"), I don't want to finish my days becoming dull and fruitless. There are too many biblical characters who dropped the ball too close to the end. For that matter, there are too many of my peers who started well but finished poorly.
Lord, I think I could easily succumb to the perils of the ageing process. I don't want to burn out or rust out as I head into the remaining time you have allocated to me. I do want to finish well. What a tribute to you if, like Paul, I can say when the end comes.....
I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT
