Never Too Old

Today’s scripture: Genesis 21:1-7 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?

My thoughts (David Zier):

What do you think about Abraham and Sarah having a child so late in life? They were blessed with something that had eluded them in their younger years. Many of us might be thinking, “How is this possible?”

Let’s be honest. Society has a mindset that focuses on the young and beautiful. With modern medicine and better quality nutrition, it seems many are more active into our senior years, and many people are looking and staying healthier. Our genetics and environment do play a role. But no matter where we are, God gives us this life to live.

Trying to ‘hold on to our youth’ may not be the healthiest way to approach older age. But, looking to live well and as best we can no matter how old we get, may be a healthier approach. We are God’s people, created in the image of God. As God’s people, we also co-create with God. This applies to us no matter how old we are.

Bringing a new creation into the world at 100 is a miraculous thing. Just ask Abraham and Sarah. In our modern era, a woman at the age of 67 brought twins into the world. Bringing a newborn into the world at an old age may not be what we are called to do. But no matter how old we get, we are still God’s children. We are still called by God to do God’s work.

Dr. Leila Denmark was an American pediatrician who earned the title of “oldest practicing pediatrician” until her retirement at the age of 103 in 2001. Not only was Leila the oldest practicing pediatrician, at the time of her death in 2012 she was the 4th oldest verified person in the world at 114.

Whatever age we live to is not what is important. It is the “living” part that is. As we age, and some will age more graceful than others, God is not asking us to stop living, or to stop dreaming, or to stop praying, or to stop being thankful, or to stop doing. How we live or what we can do may change over time. God is still with us!

As we age, we will mourn the loss of things we once had or once could do, but we can rise to the next possible thing. I enjoy siting and praying with people, or perhaps I am a good listener. I like to serve in the background and don’t mind doing the dishes after feeding people, or I can stuff the envelopes for a mailing and do chores in the church office, or I give great hugs, or I make casseroles for those who are mourning a loss, or I will run a marathon at age 70 and raise money to help with outreach programs. What new things will be birthed into our lives next? Is this limited by how old I am?

Thought for the day: Christ died, and Christ rose. What will be resurrected in my life as I get older? God, help me see the possibilities no matter how many 29th birthdays I may have had.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.