Youth is not wasted

 

I believe the memories of what I have done in my youth give me encouragement for what I can do in my old age.

Physically, things get more difficult. I need more time to recuperate from a long day of work. But I can still work. I can still walk. I can still serve.

I have more determination now than in my youth. I work smarter, not harder. I know way more short cuts that bring about the same desired results. I pay more attention to details. I move slower, but more efficiently. In fact, I probably get more accomplished now than when I was in my 20s.

Mentally, I find I must limit my time with social media, television, and other media. Entertainment is faster, flashier, more rude, more crude, more disrespectful of everything, and more intense. It creates conflicting emotions, stress, and chaos in my brain. So much confusion!

But reading now is faster, recollection is more accurate, understanding is deeper. Puzzles seem easier because I have more patience. Painting, crocheting, drawing, writing, all seem more enjoyable because the shadow of competition is gone.

Emotionally, I am much more stable, more dependable, more accepting of others’ faults, more compassionate, and a little wiser in the ways of people. I don’t fall for manipulation, intimidation, or domination like I used to.

Spiritually, I spend more time in God’s Word. I spend less time being a seeker in other ways of spirituality. I study the masters (Luther, Tozer, Lewis, Henry, favorite preachers, etc.), but spend more time with The Master.

I pray more because I have more to pray about, more people to pray for.

I still stink at memorizing, always have, but the passages I need in conversation or writing come to mind. If I am searching the Scriptures, I can find what I am seeking much faster because I know where it might be.

I crammed a lot of life into my youth, made lots of mistakes, and fixed some of them. Now I take my time and do the jobs God gives me.

And service is much more enjoyable. Thank You, Jesus!

 

“Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” – Psalms 103:5

 

_RHTM_