“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” – Isaiah 46:4
For the last several years, I have noticed my hair shifting from a dark brown hue to a subtle gray color. Combining this physical change with my retirement from a career of nearly 30 years, it is very clear that I am in the official “senior citizen” stage of my life. Things change when you get older. There are benefits, such as senior shopping days, where older shoppers get discounts on their groceries, state park camping reservations are discounted, and even early-bird specials at restaurants offer lowered prices for seniors!
Unfortunately, there are also some negative aspects to growing older. Along with the bodily aches and pains, there is sometimes the nagging thought that one’s life is no longer as important as it used to be. The children are grown and often have families of their own; there is no longer a 9-to-5 job that beckons you each weekday, and social engagements begin to dwindle.
Sometimes it can actually get lonely in this season of life, but despite the ups and downs of being a senior citizen, I have the assurance that I’m never really alone. God is always with me! He specifically addresses the elderly in Isaiah 46:4 as He makes the bold statement that even though my body is aging and my hair is graying, He will take care of me. Why? Because God is my Creator, and He is faithful to take care of all that belongs to Him. That includes me! As I often write, God loves each of us with an everlasting love. His love doesn’t end or begin at a specific age. His Word guarantees that He will be with me all the days of my life to help me, to uphold me, and to love me! I have the blessed assurance that I will never be alone or without value as a child of God!
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
(from “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby)
“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” – Psalm 71:9
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“No one is too young or too old to be used by God. You are always the perfect age!“- Author unknown
I could have written this!! It fits me like a glove. From the Psalms citation to the hymn This Is My Story.
Even while I was in my 30s, an artist of sorts and no thought about what my life would be when I was old – at 60. Ha! Well, obviously, I DID think about getting old because I took comfort in the 18th verse of Psalm 71 – “So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me.” Some versions say silver hair and my Grandma Hollis was my “silver-haired sweetheart” – I think I called her that in a poem I wrote for her.
AND This Is My Story was one of her favorite hymns. I can still hear her voice singing it!