GROW OLD GRACIOUSLY

Life is full of blessings. With it time pass so fast and there is no way to control its
passing. We can never turn back the hands of time. The truth is; growing older is a natural part of
our life cycle. From the moment we were born, we begin to age. Everyone age differently and it
is on how well we cope with aging, how we go through it that will matter most. Hair turns
gray/silver, thinning of hair, and for others hair loss, decreased energy level, development of
arthritis and decreased sex drive. All these are indicators of growing older.
Seniors have more or less negative and fearful attitude about getting older. Will we be
physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually capable of enjoying life ahead of us? What does
God do for us as we get older? Cast me not off in time of old age, forsake me not when my
strength faileth. Psalms 71:9 Casting all you cares upon Him, for he careth for you. I Peter
5:7, Yes God helps us meet our needs. He pours us blessings, gives us provisions, gives us
strength to endure, provides solution to whatever problems we encounter, heals our illnesses
even our broken hearts. God is in full control of our life! All we have to do is Trust Him!
Lets make the most of Gods gift to us. Prevention is better than cure. We eat to live so
stay healthy with proper nutrition. Learn to be choosy with our food. Choose brown rice instead
of white rice, steam or grilled instead of fried, removes skin from chicken, choose low fat / nonfat milk, limit our meat consumption, more fruits and dark green leafy vegetables for our
youthful glow.
Remember we are old as we feel and young as we look. Enjoy a stress-free life. Everyday
as we get up in the morning, look for the positive and not the negative in a situation. This is the
day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad we did. Exercise is a cheap stressreducer, our own will power is only needed; listening to music especially Christian music;
watching humorous movies, videos. Learn to laugh, laughing is aerobic. A cheerful; heart is a
good medicine Psalms 17:22. Nurture the friendship of old friends, and establish new one by
continuous communication with them.
Learn to forgive people who hurt you, who have done you wrong. And when you stand
praying, forgive if you have anything against any, that your Father also which is in heaven may
forgive you your trespasses Mark 11:25, But if you do not forgive neither will your Father
which is in heaven forgive your trespasses, Mark 11:25-26. Forgiving goes side by side with
forgetting. Others will say I can forgive but never will I forget. for getting those things witch
are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:13-14
Learn to love, and love more as God love us. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for.
God is love. I John 4:8. Let us embrace the love of our family, friends, and neighbors. No

matter how difficult, lets love the unlovable even those who hate us for God himself endures
everything because of His love for us.
As we get older we are overwhelm by rapid changes which we never experienced during
our younger days. We are confused, lost and sometimes left out and eventually we complain for
even small things. What makes us blow-up when we get caught in a traffic jam? Instead of
breaking into pieces and spoiling our day we can hum or sing hymns of praises by ourself ( Im
sure we memorized some songs from our Himnario). If we have our bible we can read and reread our favorite verses. In this way our hearts and minds will not be ruined by ugly thoughts.
Keep on with a happy spirit! Oftentimes we complain of not having enough financially feeling
unappreciated and unloved, being left out in the family circle, absence of support from loved
mes. Psalms 71:8 says it all, Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all
the day
Fellow Seniors, think of how we lived life our and live it well.
Let us resolve to walk daily with God by glorifying Him which is our main purpose in life,
delighting in the power of His words, being close to Him through our prayers, loving and serving
Him faithfully, and turning our Complaining into Praising and we will grow old, graciously! To
God be the Glory!
ELIZABETH G. PARAISO