Trees.

Marshall and I drove a golf cart around Legendary Oaks Golf Course on Saturday.  We had not played there in a while and were surprised how many oak trees had either collapsed sideways into the earth, or bore the scars of having had half their limbs cut away with a chain saw.  At one point I joked, “If Legendary Oaks keeps losing trees they’re going to have to change the name to Legendary Stumps.”

God promises something better for us.

“The righteous thrive like a palm tree and grow like the cedars of Lebanon…. They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green” Psalm 92:12-14.

God will keep using His children even in old age.  Following the recent death of our friend Martha Rogers, many talked about the fact that she did not sign her first book deal until she was 70—and she wrote over 70 books before her death last month at 86.  (Amazon lists 95 titles by her name!)  Before writing novels, Martha had a long career as an English teacher to both high school and college students.  Her life had borne fruit for decades, and her old age was no different.  She “still bore fruit.” 

Most yearn to live a long, healthy life, and a big part of that is to continue to do things that matter.  Retirement is not a time for selfish pursuits, but a time to continue to serve others, though perhaps in new ways.  God can continue to use you in your older years.  He preserves the health of many of His children so they can continue to bear fruit, like trees planted in good soil.  God has a plan for your life and wants to use you today to bless others—no matter how old you are!

“I will be the same into your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray.  I have made you, and I will carry you. I will bear you and save you” Isaiah 46:4.

ΑΩ