CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Growing Older Together

MANY changes occur as we grow older. Physical weakness saps our vigor.  A look in the mirror reveals new wrinkles and a gradual loss of hair color-even of hair.  We may suffer some memory failure. New relationships develop when the children marry, and again when grandchildren arrive.   For some, retirement from secular work results in a different  routine of life.

In truth, advancing years can be trial-some.  (Ecclesiastes 12:1-8)  Still, consider God's servants in Bible times.  Although they finally succumbed to death, they gained both wisdom and understanding, which brought them great satisfaction in old age.  (Genesis 25:8; 35:29; Job 12:12; 42:17)  How did they succeed in growing older happily?  Surely it was by living in harmony  with the principles that we today find recorded in the Bible. -Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. -

In his letter to Titus, the apostle Paul offered sound guidance to those who are getting older.  He wrote:  "Let the aged men be moderate in habits, serious in mind, healthy in faith, in love, in endurance. Likewise let the aged women be reverent in their behavior,  not slanderous, neither enslaved to a lot of wine, teachers of what is good."  (Titus 32:2, 3)  Heeding these words can help you to face the challenges of growing older.  

Next time: Growing Older Together/ADAPT TO YOUR CHILDREN'S INDEPENDENCE

From the book: The Secret of FAMILY HAPPINESS