FINISHING WELL

So teach us to number our
days, that we may apply our
hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

This blog will soon reveal it isn't for a large, mixed crowd. It has to do with a subject I've been forced like many to know in intimate detail. I'm referring to the subject of aging. Billy Graham said, “Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life.” For those of us in the process, I think we could resound with a loud, “AMEN!” to that statement.

When children, we were provided with books dealing with growing up. Our parents may have had some along the same line, but more with child rearing. There were books for teenagers and on and on the books went dealing with various stages of life. Somewhere along the line, I missed any encouraging, informative, useful books for people approaching or already dealing with the “elderly” years. Most of such books tend to be books that instruct, but don't encourage.

When a child, my parents seemed old to me. Both grandmothers seemed much older, especially one who had to walk with one crutch. I heard my mother chatting with someone from church and they mentioned my Sunday school teacher, Nellie Barker. Nellie was from England and we kids loved to hear her talk. The shock was, however, that my mother said she thought Nellie was around 62 years old. I couldn't believe anyone could ever live to be that old. I knew there were really old people in the Bible, but that was the Bible...but 62 just wasn't clicking in my young mind that Nellie should still be alive.

Like Billy Graham and others, being a person of age really crept up on me. I knew it was going to happen, but I like others found myself always in the middle of life events...college, marriage, mom to three, lots of church work, back to school in my 50's, new careers, kids weddings and then grandchildren, lots of Bible study groups and Sunday school classes with probably thousands of “foldies” made to pass out to classes. In it all, I maintained fairly good health.

After Brian retired about nine years ago, we made our retirement move here to Tennessee. Shortly after our move, I was diagnosed with malignant bladder cancer and went through two surgeries and some chemo. It was the first it dawned on me that I was really a person of age...72 at the time. I was definitely a slow learner.

One of the reasons I'm writing this blog is that I have come upon a treasure. It's the most loving, inspiring, sensible, spiritual outlook on aging written by one who wrote a book on the subject while in the aging stages. It's a book I have hoped to find and when getting a copy of it, read almost half of it in a couple of days. I found myself devouring the information as it was so practical and encouraging. It isn't a new book, but one that somehow I missed as I have tried to read just about everything Billy Graham ever wrote. He was in his 90's when he wrote the book. I ordered it and got it in just a couple of days. It's one to read and to pass along to friends who need encouragement regarding where they may be in this aging process. The name of the book is “Nearer Home.” I love that title as that's how I feel in these years I am in now.

There were some things that were reinforced in my own mind as I read this book, things that are already a part of my own practice and thinking, such as:

*Live everyday to the fullest.
*Have goals to be stretching for.
*Maintain good spiritual practices...Bible reading, church attendance, prayer, etc.
*Have a responsibility at church or ministry of some sort.
*Surround yourself with fun, encouraging and godly people.
*If still married, enjoy your partner like never before.
*Stay as healthy as you can.
*Read on a regular basis if you are able.

*Have an enjoyable activity you look forward to doing....cook, handiwork of some kind, get an adult color book & colored pencils, find a craft activity to do you enjoy, etc.

Perhaps there are things you could add to that list. I just know that God has kept every person here for His own reasons no matter the age. He will keep us here until we have finished His intent for us. With our last breath we are to be faithful in serving Jesus. It may be from sitting home bound, in a church pew, attending an outing with friends or whatever else we find to keep our minds functioning. I know ladies who crochet making small baby afghans for a local pregnancy center. Meanwhile we have experience and wisdom we can share with the younger folks we come in contact even though we are “Nearer Home” than they may seem to be. May all of us finish well, no matter our age hopefully all for God's honor and glory alone.

Dear Father, I'm so grateful for Your guidance and provision in my life. I pray I will stay available to You to serve You in any way I can. I want to finish well in such a way that will please You. Help me to appreciate these days in my life and in them, come to love You like never before. In Jesus name....Amen