"Big 80"

 

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;"  -- Psalm 92:14

 

I read just recently how David Livingstone sons found the famous missionary, on his knees beside his bed, in the posture of prayer.  He had written these words before he died:  "My Jesus, my King, my life, my all;  to Thee again I dedicate myself."  For Livingstone, every day was another day to serve and to grow.

 

Having reached the "Big 80", I better understand how our strength and our health deteriorates, and our memory sure gets cloudy.  But we need not despair. Every day can be a new beginning toward "good old age." Growing older can mean maturing, growing in grace and fruitfulness, getting sweeter as the days go by—more mellow, less critical of others, less impatient with the attitudes of the younger generation.

The drain of the years can be amply met by the spring of God's grace that flows within. We can continue to grow and be spiritually productive as we age. Pastor F. B. Meyer (1847-1929) said, "The last sheaves that fall beneath thy sickle can be the heaviest; the width of thy swath can be the greatest as you turn toward home."

Getting older can mean growing, maturing, ministering, venturing—enjoying life to the end of our days.   During World War II, many churches were kept open 24 hours a day so people could come and pray for loved ones on the battlefront. A caretaker in one of those churches noticed a boy who came in every day for about 10 minutes. After several weeks, the youngster came in and stayed on his knees much longer. The concerned caretaker spoke to him and asked why he was there so long. He replied, "Each day I came here for a few minutes to ask God to bring my father home safely. This morning he did, so I hurried over here to thank the Lord for answering my prayer."

My friends, prayer has been a vital part of my life; and even now as the boy,  I see the need to prayer even more - giving Him thanks for the 80 years - praising Him for His leadership for 57 years, and the opportunity  to serve Him as an ordained minister - to tell people about His saving grace - bless His holy name.

 ><))):> In “HIS” Service

Bro. Roy