Recently I saw a mother and her teen daughter leaving a store. The mother looked sad and worried. The daughter, whose facial semblance was obvious, looked less worried and almost happy. And I wondered: do we get sadder as we get older?
Are you entering THE INSPIRATION ZONE as you get older? Are you "older and wiser"? Should you quickly ask a teenager while he still knows everything?
Some researchers suggest "older people" don't "get the jokes" because of cognitive ability decline; I say they've probably just heard it before.
Some say there is nothing good about getting older, physically at least. There is everything good about getting older spiritually.
But the more serious research tells us, "On average, survey respondents reported being less worried after 50, with people in their 70s and 80s the least likely to report negative emotions". So we are getting happier as we get older!
I had the privilege to baby-sit my granddaughter recently. Her smile of recognition when she looked at me, her utter joy at being alive made me think.
Children are closer to God in their innocence. Perhaps they recollect aspects of their connection to God before birth. I thought that maybe my grandchild smiles at me because she sees the resemblance I bear to her Daddy or even to God.
I realized, at length, that we are not grateful enough in remembering our Father who is our parent. I thought of a Johnny Reid song (lyrics by Toussaint Allen) and how those words could apply to God:
If I only had, two words left to say to you.
With my last breath I'd come face the truth to you.You've never left my side, even when I fell behind:
Thank-you, Thank-you for the life you've given me.Thank-you for sharing all your love and your dreams.
(Thank you for giving me dreams)
Thank-you for every tear of happiness I've cried.When I close my eyes, I say a prayer for one more day with you.
And when I wake, I embrace the one who pulls me through.
Who pulls me through the storm when I can't go on
You've never let me down.
Its like you don't know how.
Thank-you Thank-you. Thank-you.
And I thought of another Reid song "Your Love Brings Me Home", and how it applies so aptly to our God:
When I'm far awayWhen I'm gone too longTired of being strongI send my heartBack to where you areYour love brings me home
When I'm out on the roadAnd time is moving slowWhen it's dark outsideI just close my eyesLike a shining star[Lord] there you areYour love brings me home
