Last night my husband and I were clearing off a shelf to create a little personal space near my desk. We came across his paternal grandmother’s bible. In it were several old newspaper clippings from 1950’s. Most were articles about growing old. My husband said it must have been something that concerned her, or she wouldn’t have clipped the newspaper articles to keep in her bible. She would have been about the age we are now, reading those same words she saved.
My favorite was How to Grow Old and Like It, written in the Christian Herold, April’ 55. It begins with saying medical science has added bonus years to our lives and ends with to utilize our additional years full we must develop attitudes that give life value. I also particularly like rule number 4 in the Rules for Growing Old, “Retrain yourself for forms of relaxation, entertainment, mental and physical exercises that you will be able to follow later on.”
Although the articles were written decades ago, the principles are still the same. How we look at life and what we do with the time we have been given is a key factor to longevity. Another statement in How to Grow Old and Like it is that the person who has faith in God is more likely to have faith in others and in themselves. They will have peace and the assurance that they will overcome disaster and conflict and reach the goals of their life in spite of what may come.
In John 16:33, Jesus says “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”
We can have peace in the midst of difficulties and the uncertainty of life as we grow older. Changing our habits in daily living is a highly important discipline needed to enhance our quality of life. Faith in God, others, and ourselves is vital to peace, especially with the changes that will inevitably come our way as we age.
We all grow old at the same rate, one day at a time. Every day we have a choice to push through the obstacles that keep us from living our best lives. The temptations to lay in bed a little longer, stay in the house, dwell on thoughts that discourage, or to not reach out to others, is always there. We can’t let these things clutter our lives and steal our peace.
Making space on that shelf made me feel better about the clutter on my desk. It’s kind of a metaphor of how I should live my life. I must guard my most valuable asset, time, and regularly clear out the clutter making room for relaxation, entertainment, and mental and physical exercises. But more importantly I must hold on to faith, for it is my anchor in the midst of every storm life may bring.
