The Old Gray Mare

Something big and earth-shattering happened since my previous blog. On August 31st I had a birthday – number 72, by the way. The earth shook, the stars fell, and the people cried out in agony. Okay, maybe that was a bit too dramatic, but my wife did bake me a German chocolate cake. And I spent half the day in dialysis. That was dramatic enough for me. Oh, and some of you sent me birthday cards, which was very thoughtful. Thank you!

As I contemplated my new age, I felt the dichotomy of recognizing the effects of aging on my body, while feeling like I’m still in my 20’s. I’m not in pain, am able to think and remember things (except for a few senior moments), and can handle daily activities as before. But thanks to my diabetes, foot problems, and kidney disease, I am only too aware that my body is showing its age. You might include my gray/white hair as evidence, except both my parents, younger sister, and I all turned gray at early ages.

The old folk song came to mind:

The old gray mare,
She ain’t what she used to be
Ain’t what she used to be,
Ain’t what she used to be
The old gray mare,
She ain’t what she used to be
Many long years ago.

My folks used to sing it to me; now it’s my turn.

In today’s youth-centered culture, old age is something to be looked down on. Youth and vigor is lauded, advertisers direct their efforts at young adults (their prime demographic), and young 20-somethings grace our media. The only place I regularly see 60+ people featured is in my doctor’s office (and for some reason they are all shown smiling, though they would smile more if they weren’t in their doctors’ offices.) Yes, youth is in great demand, and the oldsters are pushed to the side, sometimes with patronizing comments like, “Let’s put them out to pasture.” Some actually advocate withholding treatments for the elderly or “assisting” their passage from this life. The only place where old people are welcomed is in our government: Congress and the Presidency. (Am I old enough to run for office now?)

As Christians, our attitudes toward seniors should come from what God says in his Word, rather than from the culture around us, especially since much of that culture is under the direction of non-and anti-Christians. So, what does God say?

1. All life is precious, because God created us in his image. There is no age limit or restriction on that declaration (Genesis 1:26-27). Child in the womb? Included. Aged seniors unable to care for themselves? Yep. Any color? Absolutely. Any size or physical or mental condition? Ditto. When God instituted capital punishment in Genesis 9, he said whatever animal or man took the life of another person, would pay with their own life, “for God made man in his own image” (Genesis 9:6).
2. When God commanded, “honor your father and your mother,” (Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16), he gave that commandment to adults who were to honor their older parents. Unlike the practice they had known in Egypt, where the elderly were taken out into the desert to die, the Israelites were to care for their aged parents and honor them. Interestingly, this commandment was linked to a blessing for those who obeyed it: they would see long life in the land where they were going. In other words, if they cared for their old parents, they would get to grow old, too!
3. The Scriptures say that long life is a blessing from God. Besides the blessing attached to the Fourth Commandment above, Psalm 34:12 connects fear of the Lord with longevity. It says, ” What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?” Moses was blessed with 120 years, Joshua with 110. (Not to mention the ancients who lived 900 or more years.) In Deuteronomy 6:2, God says to obey his commandments “that your days may be long.” Psalm 91:16 promises that for those who love the Lord, “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” In the Book of Proverbs, where Wisdom is personified as a woman, it says that there is a blessing for those who find her: “Long life is in her right hand;” (Proverbs 3:16). Another proverb speaks of old age as a blessing: Proverbs 16:31 declares: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
4. Old people have the wisdom of life experience and the knowledge gained over many years. They have lived history and dealt with many of life’s challenges over their many years. That’s why many societies honored their “elders”, turning to them for advice and decisions that would affect the tribe or community.  Deuteronomy 32:7 says, “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” The key verse that affirms this point is Job 12:12, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”
5. Finally, the ultimate “Senior” is the One who lived before the earth began: the One the Bible calls “The Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9). In both Daniel and  Revelation 1:14 the Lord is described as having hair “white as snow” (snow white?). Jesus himself proclaimed, “Before Abraham was, I am,” (John 8:58), by which he announced his divinity and his eternal nature.

So there you have it. Now I don’t feel so bad, turning 72. Not only am I close to the US male life expectancy of 73.5 years, I also have the Bible on my side. Therefore, whenever I think of dying my hair, I recall the comforting words of Proverbs 20:29 which say, “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” Amen, brother!

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Read: Isaiah 46:2-4