· Getting OLD
· Getting WISE
· Lord, Please Help me to grow OLD and WISE !
When we think of OLD, we many times think WISE, but as I am aging, I am realizing that this may RARELY be the case…Instead, many times, OLD just means that we become very “clutchy” (is that a word?) about how WE think life should be laid out.
If we have been a Mean, Bully type person our whole life , Loudly, giving our opinions, and pushing people around, either verbally or physically, without thought of consequences , we often become even more Cruel and Insensitive to others differing opinions or methods of doing something as we get OLD.
If we have been Judgmental and Opinionated all of our lives, we feel even more entitled, called and empowered (because of our “AGE”, and the fact that we DO know “everything”) to tell anyone and everyone the “right -way” to do things, even though we may really have no expertise in the area that we are presently targeting.
If we have most of our lives, freely told people around us --“embellished, or false tales” of others’ “actions or faults” ,and have done that by “cozying” up to others and asking “ Probing, Negative-type, questions about the motives or behavior of others, we will undoubtedly, by this OLD age, have become an absolute Master at spreading Rumors….It is a bit like a politician……When we put someone else down, it is often to make ourselves look better…
If, in our younger years, we have usually made it a practice to behave Stubbornly about issues that we don’t like, undoubtedly…..we will become very hard to deal with in our old age. Nurses have a name for this, “NON-Compliant”—very difficult patients, and unfortunately, they are (WE ARE) in our communities and churches…
These are terrifying thoughts to me, because I do not want to grow OLD like this….In the past five years I have seen a number of OLD both men and women display these frightening attitudes under the guise of “WISDOM”, and Righteousness….It has been a horrific sight…and has left much damage.
I have watched grown men, whom I had had some respect for, turn into ungodly, angry people. I have watched the lives of some younger servants of God be terribly discouraged and nearly shredded by these so called OLD SAINTS..Why am I saying this????
I think, because @ 65, I am trying to measure my thoughts and words much more carefully – these are now officially, OLD years… I know how Opinionated and Judgmental I have been throughout my lifetime, and I don’t want my life to characterize such horrible behavior in the years left that Jesus may give to me.
I am SO THANKFUL for the MANY truly OLD—WISE people that I have watched thru many years, really model the way to "END WELL"…..They are my HEROES!!!
Words both encouraging and damaging ,when spoken, can never be reclaimed….MAYBE we can “ease their sting” with heart wrenching apologies, but their influence on the thoughts and actions of others, is forever traveling….it’s like gossip and cutting words, actually have LEGS….
I am trying to keep pouring the words of Colossians 3 thru my mind….I should memorize it!!---because within its’ truth, is the way for me to LIVE—like Jesus wants me to….as a young person and an OLD person…Lord, HELP ME to grow WISE and OLD at the same time… and forgive me when I am not!!!.….
My favorite part of this chapter are verses 12 -14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, and Patience. Bear with each other and Forgive as the Lord Forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on LOVE which binds them all together in perfect unity.
