“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
To those of you who I have asked to consider writing devotions from time and told me “but I haven’t spent time in Haiti like you…” this message is for you. I started the morning of April 10th with leg cramps in my right calf and woke up April 11th in a hospital in Urbana, IL an amputee five inches above my right knee; not my plans for the future. But, here I am…and I am getting older. Ten days ago I flipped over another year on this side of Paradise, here at the Assisted Living facility in cell number 16. Many of the people here told me they recalled when they were 75 and many more didn’t recall how old they were or what day their birthday was.
I have much to be thankful for, both spiritually and emotionally, I feel as motivated and energetic as ever…on some days. Its too bad my fingers don’t feel that way too. I’ve seen wrinkles and spider veins, when hair starts changing color or getting thicker in places it never was or just disappearing altogether, and when muscles get soft and skin begins to sag; I suppose that a dread grips us all. Getting older isn’t for the faint of heart. I am more aware now that with each new day, I am a day closer to seeing my Savior Jesus in Paradise. Please don’t ever ignore the fact of getting closer to the day you will see Jesus, face to face as He takes your hand. That is Hope. There are still many people along our journey in these last days who don’t have that Hope. Share it with them when you have the opportunity.
I have a few other things to share with you on this Monday that have come to my attention from a few other like-minded people. 1. I was in a shoe store that sells only shoes, nothing else. A young girl with a tattoo and green hair walked over to me and asked, "What brings you in today?” I looked at her and said, "I'm interested in buying a refrigerator." She didn't quite know how to respond, had that deer-in-the-headlights look. 2. I was thinking about old age and decided that old age is when you still have something on the ball, but you are just too tired to bounce it. 3. When people see a cat's litter box they always say, "Oh, have you got a cat?" I just say, "No, it's for company!" 4. The older you get the tougher it is to lose weight because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends. 5. The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to go on Amazon and buy a replacement. 6. Have you ever noticed: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL. 7. The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he knows when he's really in trouble. 8. Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. 9. Some people try to turn back their "odometers." Not me. I want people to know why I look this way. I've traveled a long way and on a lot of the roads were not paved and in the wrong direction. 10. You know you are getting old when everything either dries up, sags or leaks.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus
Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay