I honestly don't remember where I saw the quote, but it resonated with me. From time to time I visit a blog called Advanced Style. Occasionally it features individuals of advanced age who exhibit admirable (most of them) qualities not always associated with aging! Recently, it featured Ilona of whom it said, "Ilona practices her art in the apartment she’s rented for 55 years. She admits her apartment does not have a kitchen, so she doesn’t cook (nor has she ever). 'My father once said: If somebody does it better than you, let them.'"
Don't you LOVE it?! I also love the Bible verses that a friend of mine recently posted on the occasion of her birthday.
In the best sense, I WANT to know how to "be" old. And I want to be able to assure those younger than I that the Heavenly Father "keeps on carrying you when you're old"!Don't you LOVE it?! I also love the Bible verses that a friend of mine recently posted on the occasion of her birthday.
"Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that's left of the family of Israel. I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, and I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you." (Isaiah 46:3-4)
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God They will STILL bear fruit in OLD AGE, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock , and there is no wickedness in him." (Psalm 92:12-15)
I guess I need to learn how to "be" old, since I'm already there. (Of course, I guess it's relative--to someone that's 80, 65 is still relatively young.)
ReplyDeleteI want to grow old with grace and smiles and paint in my kitchen like Ilona. :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca, I love your post today.
ReplyDeleteThose Scripture verses are some
of my favorites. It's so very
sweet and touching to me to
think the Lord carries me. And
to think His word assures me I
will still bear fruit in my old
age is wonderfully encouraging.
I guess, at 58, I may be considered
old in today's society. However,
I certainly do not feel old. I
still feel at least twenty years
younger! Praise God! He renews my
strength like the eagle's.
God bless you,
Sandy
I want to convey grace, love, dignity, and a soft spirit to those younger as I age. I don't want to be crabby and cranky. I pray GOD will allow me to live out a life exuding HIS love.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
andrea
I love that! "If somebody does it better than you, let them!" To this day my hubby keeps asking me if I want a sewing machine. I secretly would love to learn how to sew and make all kinds of fun things. But my grandmother, my aunt, my mother-in-law and now my daughter-in-law were/are exceedingly accomplished seamstresses. I've found/am finding my own niche and I feel like if I had a new sewing machine in the house, it would put tremendous pressure on me to actually DO something GREAT with it, and I think of the guilt I would suffer if that didn't happen. No thanks...I'll just keep cooking, babysitting, entertaining, decorating on a budget, and writing. And I'll let the ones who sew well (like you) do it! Thanks for this confirmation!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post!! I am going to copy some of what you've posted and send it to a pastor's wife that I know. She will love it.
ReplyDeleteI love getting older with my hubby by my side.
I have so much more wisdom and the gray hair that comes with it, according to the Bible.
Life is so peaceful and I've attempted to slow down and just enjoy the little things that God has had there for me all of the time for me to enjoy.
I love you my friend.
ReplyDeleteRebecca...I love the Isaiah 46 passage...I'm going to write the reference down so that I can copy it down and post it on my refrigerator. Love you so much! In fact, I want to be like you when I grow up :-) XOXO from Janine
ReplyDeleteThat's why I follow people like you Rebecca. I know where to find the answers! Is that cheating?
ReplyDeleteLove Di ♥
Love reading your thoughts here; as I grow older with each passing day, I'm learning so much about myself and about how I want to spend the rest of my days. I want to be a wise "ancient" to someone... thus, I surround my life with them, many of them and take in all they have to give to me. So glad for the "strength & wisdom" that has come to me in these last few years.
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine
What a beautiful post, Rebecca, especially since I have just recently admitted to my dh That I am finally getting old. lol I want to age as gracefully as I can..
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sue
Wonderful post Rebecca ~~
ReplyDeleteI got your darling note card today, and so enjoyed your message.
How special that you are a Pastor's Wife and serving with your husband.
Don and I had 47 years of ministry together, and now are really enjoying retirement and serving as members in a local church.
Yes, we will keep in touch....
Wanda
I'm not the least bit afraid of growing old, I'm just afraid of growing old without having had learned life's lessons, without having grown wiser, without having something pleasing to show God at the end of my life. I'm so afraid that all I have to show Him are many missed opportunities.
ReplyDeleteIt's all slipping away so fast, and I'm letting it.
I know I can rely on God, but I'm afraid He can't rely on me. I really feel that I didn't bring my children up with the right values, and I don't think there is a greater success or a greater failure than that. And I don't think there is anything more wonderful to be gifted with than God's children, and I'm afraid He must feel those gifts were misplaced.
I'm not afraid of growing old, but I'd sure like to be able to be young again just to do things over, to do them all so differently.
Love to you,
Eileen