Growing Older with Jesus

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, .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

Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of working in a place where I am surrounded by those older and wiser than I. I have learned much from them. I am learning life lessons from them in my thirties that they learned in their fifties, sixties, seventies and beyond. By watching and listening to them, they have taught me about faithfulness, humility, the goodness and faithfulness of God and the injustices of life. They have shown me what it is to rise above circumstances and to succumb to them. They have taught me that life is what you make it. They have taught me that attitude is everything. They have taught me that life is short and while we have it, we can embrace it. We can embrace each passing year and the blessings that come with them. They have taught me that growing older is not always fun but growing older with Jesus is absolutely beautiful. Growing older with Jesus means wisdom, godliness, being teachable, beauty and humility. Growing older with Jesus means deepened intimacy with Him and realizing the importance of relationships with others. Growing older with Jesus means the utter realization that Jesus is all there is. When all else changes, He is the constant. He remains. He is there.

Over the last week, I have had the opportunity to join several older individuals in a prayer group. They meet daily to lift up the people who administrate, work and live at their retirement community. It is an amazing time as we come before the Lord with praises and requests. We feel His Presence, His peace and His Spirit of unity. I hear sentiments from grateful hearts- voices of men and women who have become witnesses of God's goodness and marvelous works. I am sitting with individuals who are pillars in the Christian faith. They would not profess that at all. They would say they are just common, ordinary people who love the Lord and want to proclaim Him to those around them- to the next generation. My question is to those in the next generation. Are we listening? Are we placing ourselves in a position to hear? Maybe that means finding a godly, older woman in our church or neighborhood to visit with or maybe volunteering at a retirement community. Let's begin to pray how we can grow deeper in our faith, how we can continue to learn and grow in wisdom. God has gifted us with His Son, His Word, His Spirit and His people.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to all those that have gone before us. Thank You for the lessons You have taught them that can be passed on to us. Put us in a position to hear so we can grow in faith, wisdom and Your love. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher