Tuesday December 14, 2010

Growing Old Gracefully

My topic for Wednesday evening, December 1

How does one go from a child to old age gracefully?

On the evening of Wednesday, December 1, I was asked to share about that subject for about ten minutes. One of our deacons (Jesse Copenhaver) was in charge of a Bible study (one of three) at our church that evening, and asked if I would close the session with some thoughts especially for the ladies in the room. I had about a month to prepare.

I was challenged by my study on the subject and thought you might be challenged as well.

Growing old gracefully does not happen by accident – it takes discipline – day after day – after day – after day – after day. The kind of discipline that says to others that your life is about serving God.

 

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One of my favorite replies from advice columnist Ann Landers was when she responded to a question from an older woman who was frustrated at having her husband around the house all the time following his retirement.

Ann replied: The quality of life is only as good as the materials used by the builders. The lumber of life is caring, sharing, patience, forgiveness, and understanding. You cannot expect to spend your twilight years in a cathedral if you have accumulated only enough lumber for a shack.

Likewise, I cannot expect to spend my twilight years in the cathedral of God’s grace if I have accumulated only enough lumber for a spiritual shack.

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My Outline

Everything I Need to Know About Growing Old Gracefully I Learned When I Was Young

• Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
  • Learn to be comfortable in my own skin
  • The sooner I accept and develop my gifts and talents, the sooner I will begin growing old gracefully
• Love the Lord With My Entire Heart, and Soul, and Mind
  • Realize early that life is about Him – and not about me
  • Allow the guidelines of the Bible to affect everything I do – NO MATTER WHAT
• Respect Others – Especially Authority
  • Honor my parents
  • Be courteous to everyone – street people up to world leaders

In the process of growing old gracefully, I will sometimes do ungraceful things. I will not always get it right! That is why I can never, ever forget…

• Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
• Love the Lord With My Entire Heart, and Soul, and Mind
• Respect Others – Especially Authority

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The scripture I was given for the evening was Titus 2:3-5.

This is my paraphrase

• Be reverent – behave as a woman who loves the Lord – NO MATTER WHAT
• Do not gossip – NO MATTER HOW TEMPTING
• Do not be a slave to wine – NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL MY LIFE 
• Teach what is good and proper – EVERY TIME I HAVE OPPORTUNITY
• Love my husband – EVERY DAY
• Love my children – NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO
• Be self-controlled and sensible – ESPECIALLY WHEN MY LIFE FEELS OUT OF CONTROL
• Be pure – NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPTATION
• Take good care of our home – EVERY DAY IN EVERY WAY
• Be kind – EVEN IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN UNKIND TO ME
• Respect my husband – IN EVERY SITUATION

Then – no one can say insulting things about God’s message.

Ladies, we are either an example of God’s grace or Satan’s stubbornness.

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The power of God in our lives is displayed in an amazing way when we make His Word a priority in our lives.

I closed with this quote by Roy Lessin

When we look back and wonder how we ever made it this far

We realize it is not because we have been clever

• But because God has been wise.

Not because we have been strong

• But because God has been mighty.

Not because we have been consistent

• But because God has been faithful.