Better With Age

A thought that has been running through my mind this past week is...

Am I getting better with age...like wine- growing sweeter as I mature? 

I sure hope this can be said of me. But sometimes I doubt. Can't I just stay young forever? :-)

Little people are too cute

There is an innocence with childhood and a freedom to play that is later missed

What are things that get better with age? I asked google recently.

Here were some things listed:

...Life, wisdom, knowledge, relationships, tennis shoes, jeans, sheets, wine, cheese

One article (53 things that get better with age)- also listed: life stories; body image; vocabulary; self-awareness; self esteem; common sense; real estate, marriage, friendships, travel experiences.

Hmmmm.

But what about my effectiveness on the planet for God? I'm getting older for sure...but is it getting sweeter as the days go by...or am I getting stressed as I try to manage life's changes?

I think on the exterior, none of us truly want to show signs of age, of wear and tear, of time passing.  Time brings surprising changes to the body. WHAT IS THAT? HOW DO YOU FIGHT OFF THAT? IS IT PERMANENT? WHAT'S THE BEST TREATMENT? Some changes I've began facing already and more are sure to come in the time ahead.

Things like gray hair. Changing metabolism. Veins popping out. Wrinkles. Droopy places- like a chicken neck. Wrinkles. Age spots. There's the "middle age" spread- is that only men? There are aches and pains in usually ache free places. Stiff joints. Teeth fall out. Goodness. How do you deal???

Do you get consultation? Seek advice? (I've called my Mom) :-)  Do you buy new clothes or change your hair, make-up? Do you stay away from mirrors? Do you invest in spas and gyms, hire a personal trainer? Most don't have this luxury. Do you try to change your diet? Workout more? 

In a place like Africa, I've noticed the wear and tear on the body is intense. The elements pound at your skin. Heat, dust, bad water, bad smells, unfiltered smog- are around. No health food sections at grocery stores or low fat, low carb options. How do you manage with passing time? 

God has been making me chuckle at some of these thoughts and changes beginning. It's kind of funny- KIND OF. Just remembering that we are dust balls, largely water, all uniquely held together and this temporary house/tent  isn't supposed to last. Yet, inside of you is an eternal spirit that Jesus paid for with his life.  That part of you will always be. And Jesus has given us His mission to continue...helping His kingdom advance. Sometimes it's hard to wrap your mind around it all.  It can sound like a Star Wars sequel or something.  But it's a real story, our story. And we have a part to play.

God's Word encourages me so much. Verses like this one:

1 Corinthians 4:16-18

Outwardly we are wasting away, but inwardly we are being renewed day by day...

Sometimes I look back and wonder if all my glory days are behind me. The days where my talents and health and energy were maximized. But when I begin to question- I do feel God saying- Holly, I'm not done with you yet. In fact, you're not half done, over the hill, past your prime- in fact- you're almost ready for your greatest feat yet for me. I've matured you, refined you...still am, not to retire you, but to prepare you- move you to a place you've never dreamed. Bring it on. :-)

I think of so many in the Bible who probably thought their glory days were already past.

Try to answer these:

How old was Abraham when God moved him from his home?

How old was Sarah when she would give birth to a son and start a huge part of the human storyline?(She chuckled- it was that old)

How old was Noah when God called him to build the ark?

How old was Moses when God called him to go back to Egypt to free his people?

How old was the man crippled from birth when God gave him fresh legs?

How old was Jesus when he started his public ministry?

How old were the disciples when Jesus called them to change professions?

God has not only used children and the young to do great things, but the middle aged and old as well. So encouraging!

When I was part of the youth ministry team at Ginghamsburg church- I was amazed at how many ages were involved to reach youth.  So many grandparents were most effective in connecting with teens that would  give you attitude.  Our youth staff team spanned decades.  My director, Ken, had me in age by a few decades. But you would never have known it. Our youth work took us to LA, Chicago, New York City multiple times, Mexico, Russia, countless other places, and a favorite for me- Haiti.  God wants all of us to be doing our part. There's not enough space to write about the countless others who continue to give and serve, growing sweeter and more effective with experience and time.  We indeed have a great cloud of witnesses who can inspire us. Let us run on with courage.

Ken in NYC with some of our guys

Ken helping paint a house in Haiti with our inaugural youth team there, Summer 2008

There are three things God has been putting in front of me as time passes and I reflect on my life and pray for what is ahead. 

May I continue to keep them in mind.

As I go...I must...

1. KEEP PERSPECTIVE

As changes happen, may I keep in mind what the big story is.  We must keep perspective, eternal perspective.

John 15:19
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world...

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 

 

Philippians 3:20

...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ...

1 Corinthians 10:26

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 

 

2 Peter 3:13

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth

2. REMEMBER WHAT TRUE BEAUTY IS

As time passes, our inward beauty can grow. Our maturity in our relationship with God- our wisdom and knowledge of Him- our effectiveness can grow. May we grow old gracefully and with beauty, dignity, and in favor with God and others.  As my good friend here likes to say: It is Possible!

Isaiah 40: 28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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. 
 

Proverbs 16:31

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness 

 

Psalm 103: 1-5

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 
 

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...

James 1:4

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything 

 

Ephesians 4:11-16

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, hat is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity 

 

1 Peter 2:2

 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 
 

Proverbs 31

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 
 
3. BE A GOOD STEWARD

I believe God wants us to be good stewards of what He's given us: our bodies, our minds, our jobs, our education; our resources and finances; our relationships; our talents; our communities; our planet- so much. We can do our best to honor Him in all.  May we do this better and more effectively as we go.

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize 

 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart 

 

Proverbs 13:20

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm 

 

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up 

 

1 Corinthians 3:9

 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building 
 

Romans 6:13

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness 

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies 

 

1 Corinthians 4:2

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful 

 

Romans 14:12

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God 

 

As time passes, may we not get discouraged when our bodies change with age. May we realize God is God. He renews strength- likes to do impossible things with impossible people. I'm grateful!

May my greatest days still be before me. May I look with expectation and be ready to move, to speak, to go, to stay- His will, His plan. Til I change this tent for a new one. Onward we go!

PRAISES

-I had a good and restful weekend and took some time alone with God- so needed!

-God continues to teach me and humble me, so grateful for Him

-Still feeling healthy, big praises for that
-I'm grateful for the best Dad in the world, Jim Garrett!- plan to celebrate him this coming Father's day weekend
-I'm grateful for my prayer partner Esther in Kenya, celebrating her birthday this week
-So grateful for global family

PRAYER REQUESTS

-Pray for my Dad's back and neck, that there will be complete healing

-Pray for strength and health as season cools and rains start

-Pray for our English staff, we're still seeking someone to cover our teammate who left- pray for the right person and for strength to cover extra classes

-Pray for short term teams on the field, launching and returning- safe travel for all (in particular- ones to here in Ethiopia, some interns in Kenya, a student team in Haiti from GUM, and Urban Plunge kicking off- students serving Dayton, and many more)

-Pray for wisdom for me...one of my students presented an argument essay in class on: There is no God. Pray for that opening to spark conversation about life and faith

-Pray for opportunities for me to talk to my students and staff about faith.

-Pray for my sister as she figures prays through different ministry opportunities in her new area in the Czech Republic and which one to jump through

-Pray for wisdom in building relationships

-Pray for good brothers and sisters in Christ globally- who are seeking God's next best step for them professionally.

Thank you for praying for me and know I'm praying for you.

Blessings to you this new week!  May we all be better with age!

Love from Ethiopia,

Holly