Age has been a theme that keeps showing up for me recently. Could it be that's because I just turned 67 years old? My thoughts on aging seems to be changing recently and I thought I'd share what I've learned about embracing our aging gracefully.
As most of you know, I was sick for quite some time and it definitely "aged" me. I can tell it especially in the area around my mouth. I was in a lot of pain and I was depressed and despondent, so I rarely smiled. As I allowed that for many years (no smiling), my skin now tends to "turn down" naturally, like I'm always sad. It takes an effort to smile and put a pleasant look on my face, even when I feel like I'm having a great day.
Then there are the dark spots and the crows feet and the wrinkles on my face (and other places). I've tried many products over the years to "help" with these, to no avail. Or maybe they have helped and it would be even worse if I didn't use them!
I believe it's very difficult for us, especially as women, to "live up" to expectations. We see beauty portrayed as being young, climbing our way to the top, doing everything on our own! We think that in order to still be useful, we have to stay young and we may think we can no longer contribute to society after a "certain age." But as I've aged, and as I continue learning about God and His ways, I am seeing more and more that there is so much that the aging woman can contribute! And even if I decided, I'm tired or I don't know what I can contribute, we can go to God's Word and see what He tells us. One passage I've picked out for this post is Titus 2:3-5, which says:
"Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God."
Wow! There's a lot to unpack in these verses. As we age and grow closer to God, we need to remember that we have eyes on us, from our children, to our grandchildren, to our co-workers, to our church friends, to our acquaintances on social media. All over, there are others watching us. Here are some things that I feel the above verses tell us, as aged women of God:
1. Walk the Talk: Our actions must match our words. Are we living the words we use? Are we showing God in love and compassion? Let's always be aware that our actions are always going to speak louder than our words. Let's always be slow to anger and full of compassion. Let's take the time to truly listen to others. Let's find ways to spend time with those who may be searching for someone to trust. Let's make ourselves available.
2. Mentor and Teach Others: I really never considered myself a "teacher." Yet there are so many ways that we can teach or mentor the younger ladies in our sphere of influence. We can be open and honest about our mistakes, our trials, and our temptations. When we are honest about how we've handled (or not handled) tough times in our lives, it can encourage others as they go through their struggles. We can show that God isn't asking us for perfection, that He will forgive all, and that He desires a close relationship with us, in the good times and in the bad. I want to explain something here - I am not encouraging you to spew every bad detail that you've been through in your life. But what I am saying is that being open and honest about how God has redeemed you, how He has continually shown grace, and how He has always been faithful, will go a long way toward showing others that we all make mistakes, we don't do everything correct, and that all can lead us closer to God.
3. Showing Humility and Submission: Okay, this one can be a tough one. I have been learning that the world's view of humility and submission are quite different than God's view. The world says that humility is weakness, that you are putting yourself in a place to be "walked on." The world says that submission is a BAD word - that we should never submit to anyone or anything! But God and His word show us an entirely different view. Humility can be freeing to us as we begin to realize that God is all-powerful, He is in control, and He has a plan. When we begin to show humility in our everyday lives, we can rest in Him and live our lives to their fullest. Submission as used above is the Greek word hypotassō and is defined as "to be obedient," "to submit yourself to." We must remember that first and foremost, we should submit to God, our Creator. When we are doing this on a daily basis, wanting to obey Him and His word, then we can show the same to our husbands, who are the head of the household and also a part of God's family and plan.
4.. Always be in the Word: Not only can be walk the talk and mentor to younger ladies, but we can also point them to a closer relationship with God by continually being in His word. We should position ourselves in a posture of humility, with open hands, open ears and open hearts. Let's be sure we are prioritizing quiet time with our Lord every single day. Let's be sure we are praying every single day. Let's be sure we are always applying what we are learning. Then we can be confident as we lead others to a daily life in Christ.
Instead of trying to "fight" against getting older, let's try to embrace it gracefully! Let's wear our white hair and our wrinkles and our crows feet as beautiful signs of God's grace and love. Let's embrace every year that we have been allowed to be on this Earth and let's honor God.
Today, I am loving the fact that I'm 67 years On My Way to God. Today, I embrace the weak core and the back pain and the slouched shoulders. Ask me again tomorrow and let's see where I am. As I continually remind myself, I am a work in progress.
How about you? Do you "run" and "fight" your aging? Or are you embracing it, and fully living in this time and season where God has you placed? Leave your comments!
Until next time,
Vickie
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