Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
Job 12:12
Okay, so you can’t do a cartwheel anymore. Tree climbing, cliff diving, and disco dancing are not on your schedule this week. You also can’t remember the name of the dog owned by your best friend from high school. Or where you put your car keys this morning. Really, it’s okay.
You may have lost some physical dexterity and your memory may need a reboot, but with age and experience you’ve gained so much more.
Think about everything God has taught you. On the job. Raising your family. Engaging with friends and neighbors. Through trial and error. And just staying aware of the amazing world around us. By the time you become a grandparent, you already have a good sense of what is true, noble, pure, and admirable. Grandparents also know which priorities and pursuits will bring God’s peace into our lives.
Programming our minds in this way is theme of the last chapter of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. The entire letter is filled with joy and gratitude, but it’s Philippians 4:8-9 that calls us to a heavenly frame of mind.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Too many people can look around and completely overlook anything that is lovely, noble, or admirable. We close our minds and become set in our ways. We look at the same walls, the same screens, the same desktop. We get lazy or complacent or cynical. Somehow, we can even look at a breathtaking sunset, intricate spiderweb, or the radiant face of a young grandchild, and fail to see the wonder of creation.
Seeing beauty and pointing it out to our grandchildren is one of the great privileges of grandparenthood. I urge you to notice whatever is true, whatever is pure, and whatever is lovely. Whatever you have learned in your 50-plus years of life, consider it a gift from God and allow it to inspire you to action. Go wherever it takes you. Bring your grandson or granddaughter along for the ride.
And the result? The God of peace will be with you.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
It happens a lot. People who can no longer do cartwheels or frequently lose their car keys think the best of life is over. As a result, they close themselves off from the world, go on cruise control, or start listing regrets and broken dreams. If they’re lucky, a grandchild or two comes into their life and stirs things up. Suddenly, they stop shrugging their shoulders at life with a sarcastic and monotone, “Whatever.” Instead, they remember what God has taught them over the years and say, “Whatever you need, Lord. I’m here. Use me!”
And that’s the mid-week memo.
By Our Friend and Ally Jay Payleitner
