"We will lose the beauty of today if we keep  reaching back for our  yesterdays." 
                                                      Carrie Jones
 

The constant that remains true for all of us is that aging  is inevitable. Time keeps moving and seasons keep changing, and dark hair turns gray…or silver!

Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.’
Then in another verse, Proverbs 20: 29 says that gray hair is the splendor of the old.

There is something so miraculous yet so natural about the circle of life. On our journey through life, each phase offers us something beautiful for us to explore, recognize, and embrace. However on many levels our culture has communicated a very different message about growing old.   
 

   Though not all bad, the messages have communicated a somewhat unrealistic view of what we are supposed to look like as mature adults and seniors. How many of us try to hold on to the beauty and successes our yesteryears thinking this is what makes us significant. There may be seniors who feel their past successes and accomplishments are more meaningful than their present existences. These are ones who probably have not experienced being valued and respected for who they are - a valuable human being who happens to be an elder in our society.

     Some may have thoughts of, “I am old and no one needs me" or "I’m not of any value to anyone.”  God actually says the contrary in His word in the book of

 

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end."  (American Standard Version)    The New Century Version states it like this,                “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking to our elders - at this moment I would like to let you know that you are valued and we do need you. We need your knowledge you gained through living life.                                            

 

We need your wisdom gained from the many years you have lived. Concerning the baton of faith you’re carrying; we need you to touch our lives with your message of faith passing on the baton so that we in turn may pass it on to other generations who follow.

 

Your younger generations need the impartation of your steadfast faith in God. Our connection with each other is like oil added to the gears of our lives. At every age we need each other!

Aging and change is a constant for all of us. All of the seasons of our lives have a purpose, even our older years. You are made beautiful in the time frame that you are in.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth...” and verse 9 says, “…True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time..."  (The Message Version)

 

There are blessings that follow us all of the days of our lives; we just have to look around for them...even in our older years.  

 

Psalms 23:6  “Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.”                     (Amplified Version)

 

<

 

 

“Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.”

The Message Version says it in a BEAUTIFUL way,

 

God has a purpose for your life so do not allow the enemy to steal, kill or destroy you, your dreams, nor keep you from living your life to its fullest potential.

It states in John 10:10 that Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (New King James Version)
   

 When you think of LIFE, think of it in terms of not just the body or menial existence, but being revived from sickness, discouragement, faintness and death.

Isaiah 40:29-30 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak….but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and     not be faint.”

  The Word is a mirror that gives us a TRUE reflection - it shows us how God, our Creator sees us. Meditating on it helps us to renew our thinking as it says in
 

 

Romans 12:1-2, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.

  

 

 

  Dear friend, no matter what age you are as long as you are breathing the Lord can still breathe on you hope and renew your strength to fulfill your life’s purpose. Allow Him to show you how much He loves you and how beautifully and wonderfully you were made.

 

 

In His Grace,
Carrie C. Jones
Publisher, Mississippi Southern Senior & Family Resources