My 52nd birthday is this week. As my daughter, Charity, and I discussed celebration plans, it turned into a conversation about what it’s like to get older. 

Do you still enjoy the same things? 

Do you feel older—physically, mentally?

Do you still have dreams?

I realized immediately this was one of those God-ordained mother-daughter heart-to-hearts. It was a deeply meaningful discussion that I will always cherish. It made me reflect on what is truly important, what I’ve learned, and what I hope for the future. 

As I contemplated further the concept of aging, a 1980s Oil of Olay ad slogan came to mind:

‘I don’t intend to grow old gracefully, I intend to fight it every step of the way.’

Hmmm … a nice and yet impossible idea. We cannot stop the hands of time. Just as change is inevitable, so is aging. Well, aging is change. 

I’ve decided that not only do I intend to grow old gracefully, but I intend to grow in Christ’s grace. 

If I desire is to grow older in God’s grace, there are a few things I must embrace.

(1) Embrace Change

While we all know growing older is a natural process, it may be hard to come to terms with, especially in our culture. In western culture, we tend to idolize youth. Aging is stigmatized as undesirable, even shameful. 

Let’s face it, change is difficult. But when the change is your body not cooperating or looking the way it did when you were younger—it can be devastating, particularly for women.

I know some women who are fighting the aging process tooth and nail. Their determination to appear younger has cost them financially, emotionally, and even spiritually. This happens when we attempt to fight what we cannot control. These mortal bodies weren’t made to last forever. 

As Christians, we have hope in our heavenly home and our new eternal bodies. In fact, the older we get, the closer we get to receiving those new bodies.

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” 1 Corinthians 5:1

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that we shouldn’t take care of our bodies. I’m also not saying it’s wrong to color your hair or enjoy a great new pair of shoes (God forbid!). Nor am I saying we shouldn’t continue to educate ourselves and stay current on what’s happening within the culture.

On the contrary, let’s show those around us how to embrace the changes that come with aging with dignity and grace. Let’s be a source of wisdom, comfort, and godly influence.

I’ve discovered when I fight something I have no control over, I tend to become stiff and rigid, and eventually, I break. But like a palm tree,  when I learn to embrace there are some things I cannot control—I become more flexible and bend with the winds and challenges of life rather than snapping.

(2) Embrace Choice

We’ve all met one of those persnickety old people who were bitter and set in their ways. The truth is, we get to choose our attitude. 

Aging is inevitable. Growing older with grace is a choice.

We can choose to either grow better or bitter with age, to influence positively or negatively. A great example is the Psalmist who asked God to give him ministry, make him fruitful, and influential even in his old age. 

“O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” Psalm 71:17

“But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”
Psalm 92: 12-14 (emphasis mine)

(3) Embrace Challenge

Life is challenging no matter your age. It’s said that time is the great equalizer. We all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, yielding 168 hours per week. 

What we do with the time we have left is up to us. 

I’d like to think that with age, I have gained wisdom and appreciation for the brevity of life. I also realize lessons like: hard work pays off, and nothing is impossible with God.

While I can look back and see the amazing things God has done and how He has matured me spiritually, I still have so much I want (and need) to learn and to accomplish. Some of the things God has put on my heart to accomplish recently have been kind of scary. Take writing a book and proposing it to agents and publishers, for example. Gulp! 

I embraced the challenge, and my life-long dream of publishing was accomplished at the age of 49. Since then, I have published four others! (Find the books on Amazon)

It is God’s will to use us no matter what our age (often despite it!). Whether you are 14 or 104, God is not done with you!

As long as we have breath in our lungs, there is Kingdom work to be done!

When I stand before the Father, may this earthly tent and all the gifts and talents it holds, be worn threadbare and usable no more. 

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I’d love to hear your comments or prayer requests in the comments!