No Spring Chickens Here!

Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still strong, before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes.  
 Ecclesiastes 12:1 [The Message]

My middle daughter called me on the phone during my allergy-induced meltdown the other night.   She has been physically present during previous episodes, so knew immediately what was happening.  She tried to be calm and quietly supportive, but she couldn’t hide the mixture of concern and irritation at me that colored her voice.  The question, “Mom, don’t you ever learn?” was never verbalized, but was hanging like a banner over the conversation none-the-less.

Finally, during a brief lull in the pain on my side and concern on hers, my daughter hesitantly said, “Mom, I really don’t mean to offend you or anything, but you know, you aren’t exactly a spring chicken anymore!”  Even in my misery I had to laugh!  Spring chicken?  What – are you saying I’m old??  What exactly are we implying here?  I felt my hackles rising as I searched my brain for a smart, snappy rejoinder. The next wave of pain brought that quest to a screeching halt.  She was, after all, just telling me that I am not getting any younger, a truth that confronts me every morning when I look in the mirror.

This text in Ecclesiastes continues with a vivid picture of older age – the “grinders” [teeth] stopping because “they are few,” and the eyes likened to window panes through which no light shines.  But there is no indication that the aging process brings anyone’s life [physical or spiritual] to a halt.  Rather, the extra time that we [theoretically] have when our duties slow down allows us to concentrate more fully on the Creator and His meaning in our lives.

I may not be a spring chicken, but neither am I the ancient of days just yet.  There is still time, God willing, to live a vibrant Christian life – having a thriving relationship with my family, my friends, and my God. 

My song shall be of Jesus, when sitting at His feet

I call to mind His goodness, and know my joy’s complete.

My song shall be of Jesus, whatever ills befall.

I’ll sing the grace that saves me, and triumphs over all.