I read a fascinating Epoch Times article on Mark Twain where he gives advice on growing old. The first thing I recommend is a forced period of rest and introspection. That would be fasting. Less seems more the older I get. Twain had other ideas. His eating habits were coffee and bread at 8:00 AM then nothing until dinner at 7:30 PM. I would fail as I love a good snack and that is not quite fasting. For all of his good advice, this is the funniest, “I have made it a rule never to smoke more than one cigar at a time…”. We choose our vices. We are still moving but maybe not shaking as we mature. Growing is a directional word. We grow older but cannot grow younger. We grow taller than gravity takes a toll. We grow richer than poorer over and over. Aging can cause dissatisfaction, disorientation, discouragement, dread, disappointment, disinterest, distance, and distraction. Or we can find satisfaction, orientation, courage, hope, satisfaction, enthusiasm, closeness, and engagement. They say our hearts grow when the second baby arrives and that is more than true. A garden grows with so little effort. Another thought about growing older is you have done so many things that a monastic life of quiet begins to sound good. While I was recently touring some ancient ruins I wrote the following, “The ancient of days withheld their praise and looking for reasons to fall, left in ruins, picturing the past, they lost today and all”. We ask God for purpose and energy when we have raised the littles and served so many. Which direction should we go next? I Pet 3:18 has an idea on emphasizing spiritual maturity and progress, urging believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. I believe God will provide enough help and direction for today. Otherwise these days may lead to a turbulent landing.
