I AM A “SEASON” HEIR!
A number of years ago I read a book written by Pastor Charles Swindoll, entitled, Growing Strong In The Seasons of Life. At the time, I thought it was an interesting read but I couldn’t see it applying to MY life. HA!
Here I am in that “Fall-Winter” season of life learning how to adjust to the exciting limitations of an aging body. I get tired – sooner; I think a lot about “the end of time” (not necessarily the end of the world – just my end of time); I cry easier; I think too much about my regrets.
Friends give me reassuring comments like, “You’re not really that old” or “I don’t see THAT much difference in you” (which is a very unique compliment!) or “You’re only as old as you feel!” Well…. Hello!!
Anyway, I realize that I DO have to deal with this season of my life and I really do want to do it in a positive way. To which my wife shouts a resounding, “Hallelujah!”
So, with retirement in sight – but, my end of life not – I have begun to make plans about moving from a Pastoral life (ministry – not grazing) to a new life where I will earn millions of dollars, live in a luxurious home with servants, ride in an extended Lincoln limo driven by my chauffeur, Felix, and dine in sophisticated restaurants where they only serve old guys who have learned to be strong and enjoy this season of life.
How do you like that!! A big sentence and a big hunk of bologna too!
Seriously, I am trying very hard to adjust to my new, old, life. I’m happy for what Moses did when he was older; I’m thrilled that Colonel Sanders learned how to fry chicken after he was an old guy; and, I’m delighted that some of my peers just keep pluggin’ along at what they do. I don’t disrespect any of them. But, for me, I am accepting the realities of life, which I must deal with, and making plans for the future.
I have no unrealistic expectations that I know about, and am content to saunter off into this new season of life with an attitude of confident uncertainty. I know Solomon warned us - “we know not what a day may bring” – so I will cautiously look before I leap, (I’ll be doing a lot of that leaping!) smile more so people will think I’m really up to something, and always count my change because that’s what really wealthy people do!
It will be a little while, yet, before I actually make the big move to prosperity/senility. I have to wait for my wife to get old enough to get in the boat with me and then we’ll be paddling off to that big pot of gold at the end of that “Winter” season of life that Swindoll wrote about. Of course, it’ll be my luck that Janet won’t ever learn how to paddle! I pray the Lord blesses you today. Warmly, in His love and life, Roland Scroggins © 2006