Beauty in Every Season
I was blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law. None of the mother-in-law jokes applied to her. She was a gift to me from day one. She had been a preacher's wife for decades and had so much wisdom to pass on. I went to her for help and counsel many times.
One thing she shared stuck with me through the years. She said there's beauty in every season. Don't waste time looking back and wishing for something that has passed - and don't miss what's in the present by longing for the future. I have kept those words in my heart through all the years of my life - and tried my best to follow her wisdom. Because of her wisdom, I have never regretted growing older. I've been able to look for the beauty in every season!
A friend, a wonderful woman who was part of the ministry when we lived in Amsterdam, wrote something that I want to share with you. Carolyn Ros shared the same birthday as Floyd so it was always easy to remember her birthday. With her permission, I want to share her "meditation on how to age with grace."
"A gift is given with each passing year, a rare opportunity to scale the mountain called time. Its pinnacle is never quite reached, but the vista improves as the ascent is undertaken.
Youth holds the momentum to tackle the slope, but age grants the wisdom of the steady pace.
Youth sees the possible, while age knows the limitations.
Youth sees the adventure as a solo undertaking, while age knows that the journey needs accompaniment.
Youth thinks that strength is all that is needed, while age knows that even if this decreases, there is a place of abiding where strength is renewed.
We know in part, we perceive in part. Therefore, teach us to number our days in order to present to You a heart of wisdom, O Lord."
My life at 78 is very different from 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and even 70! I miss some of the things from those years - but then I look for the beauty in my present season. It's there - it's just different. I'm grateful to be alive! I'm going to enjoy the beauty of this season.
"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you." Isaiah 46:4
"Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old." Job 12:12
"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
"In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of life." Psalm 92:14
"Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation." Psalm 71:18
"Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Job 12:12
Thank you, Lord, for being with me as the years go by!
About the Author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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