Is the Wisdom that Accompanies Many Seniors a "Given?"

There is an old German saying that goes like this: “We get too soon old, and too late smart!”

First of all, none of us can imagine passing on before we become a senior, yet it happens to many of us.

For those of us who are blessed with a long life, however, that alone does not imply that we will all develop a strong association with wisdom. What then, might we expect to grow within ourselves that comes with age?   I will raise my hand as I am looking at my 87th birthday in just a couple of months.

What we, many of us may experience is: time on our hands, an empty house that becomes a reminder of how our children have gone off to start their own lives. Boredom can be a factor, and more frequent trips to the doctor. Some are plagued with the onset of hypertension, arthritis, weight issues, and other medical problems. Some of us, especially those without pensions or savings, are dealing with the reality of limited income and a need for good budgeting. Wisdom may appear to be far from our reach.

Does wisdom come with experience? Yes, some of it does, such as in raising children, taking care of a home, cooking, and other duties we have become expert at over the years. But wisdom is not something we can set out to expand on, practice in our free time, or seek and attain.  

How then might we attain wisdom? Wisdom, not unlike joy and peace, is a gift “given” through the grace of God. These gifts are given to those who love God and spend much of their time in communication with God: Praying, sincerely submitting ourselves entirely to His mission of saving souls, time alone with Him reflecting, and listening for His word, serving and helping to support the less fortunate, and a sincerity and love that grows deep. You will gradually grow in His graces as long as we are sincere and consistent. There are no hardships or tribulations we cannot face when God is with us and we are feeling His love.

Trust is the opposite of fear; we must trust in God. We must practice humility and sacrifice. To work toward helping others to feel love and support (ours when there is no one else around). Jesus told us, “What you do for the least of my brethren, you do unto Me.”