What do you think about getting old? Is it something you fear, or are you looking forward to the days when your face will be etched with wrinkles and the color of your hair will reveal your wisdom? In this episode, Jeff explains how Scripture celebrates the elderly as those who have the wisdom of the ages, and shares how adopting a Godly view of aging has impacted his marriage.
Shownotes
Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process.
- As people get older, their skin gets thinner, drier, and less elastic, and less able to protect itself from damage. This leads to wrinkles, creases, and lines on the skin.
- Environmental factors such as smoking can accelerate the development of wrinkles.
- Facial expressions, for example, repeatedly smiling, frowning, or squinting can lead to fine lines and wrinkles at a younger age.
On Wrinkles and Aging…
- “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” -Mark Twain
- “We have to be able to grow up. Our wrinkles are our medals of the passage of life. They are what we have been through and who we want to be.” -Lauren Hutton
- “When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.” -Victor Hugo
- “Wrinkles are hereditary. Parents get them from their children.” -Doris Day
- “All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don’t mean anything
When you’ve got no one to tell them to
It’s true, I was made for you” – Brandi Carlisle, “The Story”
- “Wisdom is the daughter of experience.” -Leonardo Da Vinci
Old people possess much wisdom and they give sound advice.
- There is a fear of growing old in the western world. (Fear of gray hair)
- Elderly are often seen as a liability rather than an asset.
- Proverbs 16:31- “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” (ESV)
- If you have walked with God for years, your gray hair is like a crown. Wear it proudly as a sign that you are a disciple of the King.
- If you are old, you have become acquainted with life’s many seasons. You remember the spring of youthfulness, summer with the kids growing up. You have navigated through the fall of life and know what it is to survive a cold winter. You can help the young and inexperienced. But you have to play a part by initiating conversation.
- Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. (Job 12:12)
- Rehoboam received wise counsel from the elderly rather than the young.
- “Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants for ever.” (1 Kings 12:6)
- “I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’” (Job 32:7)
Wisdom Sticks when Health Fails.
Growing Old with Emily
Emily when I met her.
Our first time in Israel (on the Mount of the Beatitudes).
Emily and me this summer.
More Great Resources from Jeff
Find free blogs, videos, and resources about Scripture and the Catholic faith at http://biblestudyforcatholics.com/.
Learn more about The Great Adventure Bible Timeline and preview any study for free.
For an easy way to transform your approach to reading Scripture, check out Jeff’s Bible Timeline Chart.
For an illustrated resource introducing God’s love story to children while helping them to understand how the Catholic Church is the body of Christ on Earth try The Great Adventure Storybook.
We’d Love to Hear from You
Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Use the comment box below, or email Jeff at thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode!
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