Golden Years? Older Years

    Time passes and most may think, "Can't wait until I can retire!"
Enjoy those jobs! You are being with people, making a difference and being the blessing, the gift you are. Why? Well, think what it is like to try and find productive things to do everyday when you are retired. Not just retired, but weary, tired, aching, limited in ability to do---just look around you. In the church, in the stores, ----see all those whose bodies and faces can tell you---there is no gold in those golden years. Mostly silver or rather grey hairs is what you will find.
    You will find that you are being purified, chastised, and taking up your cross daily as you walk that painful walk unto 'Calvary'. You didn't realize perhaps that is what Jesus meant when He said "If My disciples you want to be--then take up your cross and follow Me."
  "Sure God, gladly, I want to follow You and walk with You!" We are eager to do so when we were younger, knowing that God is the giver of all LIFE and happiness!  
But, what does it really mean to follow Jesus daily, in His footsteps?
   Like God, we will come to see the needs or others, their suffering and pain. To feel their losses when a loved one dies, rather unexpectedly or at the end of a battle with some ailment.
   God, knows all our thoughts and struggles, and we too will have our own hearts pierced so that we too can know the pain of others.
   This is how we are gifted! By experiencing all of life's ups and downs. ALL!
So dear ones, new giftedness will come everyday as you experience the new gifts of life that comes your way. Only a elderly person, with pain and limitations can understand completely the walk that another takes, who too, is "OLD" and no longer able to do.
    So, count your many blessing all the day long with every step you can take, every breath you can make, all that you can see, and smell and ---well be thanking God all the day for all you can do!! Live you life!!! Live it well! No complaining, whining or cussing---for that is what led those failing to get into the Promised Land! Rather they went around that mountain and in hot desert sands, wandering for 40 years.

  Don't be like them, blaming God for your misery or boring life!  Do all you can do to live! Don't blame others either for you crippled state---Get up and get going and be deeply aware of ALL you can do every moment of every day!!
If you want a deeper understanding of just how great your life is---just go visit folks in a Nursing Home, or the homeless on the street, or yes someone in prison---then you will know just how much you have to be grateful for!!
   It helps me every day, to sing, be silly, laugh and 'la, la, la de da' as much as I can, while in my limited state of life here at home, retired at last. As much as we can, volunteer and go be among the people and gather those smiles!  Tell them the good news of just how awesome they are, just like they are---gifts from God sent to this earth!!