Life After 40

“It’s not the operation,” said my 75 year-old-dad. “It’s just that I suddenly realize I’m old.”

I’m feeling crummy.  I just turned 65. Ever since, I’ve been fighting a nasty infection that just won’t quit. Four doses of meds and yet it recurs. That’s why these verses put me over the edge this a.m. and I let God know it.

Isaiah 43:18-19-Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (NIV)

Dwelling on the past? I admit that. “Where’s the new thing, God? Getting older and failing in health??  Sick all the time? Weak and frail? What about not being able to write, help  with the grandchildren or even keep up my own life?”

“I’m sorry, God, the only new things I perceive include only pain, despair and self-pity. God, if you are making a way in the dessert and streams in the wasteland they must be really deep, because the only moisture I see is in my eyes.”

I got out ‘Happy Daze: Life after 40’, a Bible Study I wrote when I was well (and well under 65!). It flipped open at the page titled ‘Problems or Opportunities.’

– P-predictors of behavior

– R- reminders of truth

– O- opportunities for growth

– B- blessings in disguise

– L- lessons to learn

– E- everywhere. (Look around. Everyone has them).

– M –Messages to get our attention

– S-solvable, because every miracle begins with a problem.

And I read verses like this.

1 Peter 1:6-7-In all this you greatly rejoicethough now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Prayer: Lord, crummy feelings are a bad choice. Help us trust you. We praise you… because blessed is the man/woman who trusts in the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV). No Matter What! Amen.