I’ve been thinking, which some may consider a rarity for me. But as I said, I’ve been thinking. I’ve been thinking a lot here of late, especially about life. Perhaps that is characteristic of the senior years, I don’t know. I’ve never been at this stage in life before.

A man had some thoughts on life, particularly life in “The Twilight Years” and he put them in writing. We have them in the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 12, verses 1b-7.  Read them if you wish, but be warned. They may induce a mild case of depression.

Personally I don’t see life in that light, but some do. And those who do will find a voice in those “words of the Teacher, son of David,” and in the Bible no less. However my view of life I attribute not to Ecclesiastes but to Jesus who said, “I have come that they might have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10, Holman Christian Standard Bible).

If you are a senior adult and reading this, consider the fact that some have done their most productive work in their “golden age.” For example:

Pablo Picasso, past 75, dominated the art world.
Grandma Moses began her art career at 79.
Goethe wrote ‘Faust’ when past 80.
George Bernard Shaw was still writing plays at 90.
Michaelangelo did some of his best painting after the age of 80.
Oliver Wendell Holmes at 90 resigned from the United States Supreme Court. Upon visiting the retired justice, President Franklin Roosevelt found him reading Plato. The president inquired, ‘Why Plato?” Holmes replied, ‘To improve my mind, Mr. President.’”

Nelson Price, from whose book I have excerpted these observations, says “Growing old gracefully is an often used adage. There are few persons as pleasant to be around as a well disciplined child and a graceful older person.” (Price, Shadows We Run From, “The Shadow of Age,” pp. 114-115).

Three words describe life as I am privileged to enjoy it. They are excerpted from a Gospel song and out of context, but they are: “richer, fuller, deeper.” Such is the “abundance” which Jesus brings to life.

It’s been said, “Life is God’s gift to us. What we make of it is our gift to God.” Amen.

 

– Submitted by Darryl Maxwell