{"id":22652,"date":"2018-03-21T03:30:27","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T10:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=22652"},"modified":"2018-03-16T14:34:27","modified_gmt":"2018-03-16T21:34:27","slug":"march-21-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2018\/03\/21\/march-21-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"March 21, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cTherefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 2 Corinthians 4:16<\/p>\n

The Old Gray Mare<\/h2>\n

Somewhere in our youth, I think most of us have heard that little song with the words, \u201cThe old gray mare, she ain\u2019t what she used to be many long years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve had quite a few trips around the sun now, racking up a plethora of birthdays, it is very noticeable that my physical body is wearing out. Extra pounds, cellulite, age spots, grey hair, wrinkles, aches and pains, forgetfulness, and dimishing endurance make me sometimes proclaim, \u201cThe old gray mare, she ain\u2019t what she used to be!\u201d<\/p>\n

Although that is true about my physical age and condition, and in the past I have gone through seasons of dreading old age, I really would not want to go back to those younger years. I may not be what I used to be physically, but I am so much more blessed mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as I\u2019ve grown in the Word and in my walk with the Lord. \u201cCharm is deceitful<\/u> and beauty is passing<\/u>, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised\u201d<\/em> (Proverbs 31:30).<\/p>\n

My priorities and perspective have changed. I trust the Lord more than I fret and worry. I have more time to enjoy people, and more time to spend in the Word and in prayer (although I don\u2019t always take advantage of it). He continues to change me from the inside out to be more Christlike. The list goes on, but you get the drift.<\/p>\n

Just because I am losing it more and more physically, doesn\u2019t mean that God is finished with me. He tells us in Psalm 92:13-15, \u201cThose who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age<\/u>; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The LORD has prepared me for what lies ahead. Proverbs 31:25 in the Amplified Bible says,\u201cStrength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure. She rejoices over the future<\/u>\u2013the latter day or time to come [knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it<\/u>]!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

So, old age, where is your sting? I can laugh at the future, and as I embrace each season to face whatever that looks like \u2018til Jesus takes me home, I will not lose heart, or \u201ckick against the goads\u201d trying to find that unrealistic \u201cfountain of youth.\u201d (And although Jesus is all I need, and His joy is my best cosmetic, I still think it\u2019s okay to use a little paint on this old house!)<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, thank You so much that I am not what I used to be, and that I can trust You with every last day of my life here on earth to finish the work You started in me. Help me to live each day in love, awe and appreciation of Who You are and all You want me to be for You. Amen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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