Mid-Week Message - Growing Older

 "O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.  Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.  Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me."  Psalm 71:17-18  (NLT) 

My greatest joy throughout my life has been my relationship with the Lord.  From the time that Betty Allen in Amarillo, Texas took me to church for the first time at the age of five or six, I have been in love with Him.  Oh how I wish I could find her and thank her.  I would do so tearfully for she gave me the greatest gift one person could give another.  

I cannot remember a time since then that I have been unaware of His presence.  This is not to say that I haven't experienced hard times because there have been many.  Nor am I implying that I have never questioned His whereabouts because I have.  However, in my heart I have always known that He was near and that He would remain so.  

Now that I am rapidly approaching my mid-sixties and seeing changes such as gray hair, wrinkles, and more difficulty getting around, I am more aware than ever that my days on earth are limited and that the time that I have to proclaim His wonders is waning.  Only He knows when my last day will be, as with us all.  But the older I get, the shorter my days are sure to be.  

This week, as I was thinking about this topic, I was moved to design my headstone so that my family will know what my wishes are.  My next activity is to write out my memorial wishes.  It struck me that I had a choice of making them about me, or making them about Him and placing the honor where it should be.  I have been to many funerals and seen them handled in different ways and I would prefer that whoever is there spends their time praising the Father than crying over me.  In truth, I will be elated in His presence and celebrating my arrival home.  

I don't know how much time any of  us has left.  Maybe I will live to see one hundred, although I don't think so.  But this I know - no matter how much longer I live, I want to spend the time telling people how deeply the Lord loves them and hoping that they make the choice to give their lives over to Him.  There is nothing that this world offers that can fill their hearts the way He can and how I would adore hearing them use each breath to praise Him. God bless.