Growing Old is a Gift from God
By Sophonie Stuppard
I remember that when I was in my early twenties, I used to say that “I will cry when I turn 30,” as if thirty was the end of life. However, I changed my perspective on life at the age of 25, after the loss of a good friend who was days away from his 25th birthday. When I received the news of his death, I was devastated. However, his death changed my view of growing old because if anyone would have loved to grow old, it would have been him; he loved life. So, I decided that I would have a party to celebrate my 30th birthday.
Growing old is a privilege. The thing about privilege is not everyone gets to take part in it. Oxford Dictionary defines privilege as “a special advantage or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.” Many claim to have the secret to a long life, but I don’t believe there is a secret; you can do everything right and still end up dying young.
I’d like to compare our lives with the automobile industry; every automobile that is manufactured will become old and be taken to the junk yard or many will crash beyond repair within the first few years. Others will constantly need repair as they get older, and many will continue to crash throughout the years. They will all get to the point where they are no longer operable and have to be thrown away.
This is the same for human beings. Many have died within the first year of life, as early as right after birth, many dealt with different illnesses throughout the course of their lives and don’t get the privilege of growing old, and some have been given the privilege of growing old past the age of one hundred. As you grow older, you should be proud, even if your health is not too perfect.
Remember old age is a gift from God. You should embrace the journey of growing old along with its benefits. I can hear many of you asking what are the benefits of growing old? (1) you’ve had the privilege of raising and teaching a new generation, (2) you’ve had the privilege of accomplishing many goals you had set for your life, (3) you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor after retirement, and (4) there are various resources that are allocated just for being old. Therefore, embrace the journey!
How does one embrace the journey? Make use of every resource available to you. If your health permits, participate in as many activities as you can handle, this will help tremendously with your mental and physical health. It will also help you to make new friends, which you may need because many of your friends did not have the privilege of growing old. Live in the present life that you are in.
King Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 7:10, “Do not say why were the old days better than these? For it is not wise to ask such questions.” Asking this question will cause you to remain in the past. Instead of living in the past, wishing you were as young as your children or even grandchildren and wishing you were able to do what you used to do in your younger years; embrace this stage and be grateful to God for the privilege of growing old.
Wherever you are while you are reading this, whether in the nursing facility, in your own home, with your children, or in a hospital; live to the fullest of your ability. Love life, embrace life, keep your mind and body as active as possible. God says, “With long life will I satisfy him….” (Psalm 91:16). Long life is a satisfaction that only few get to experience.
