Old Hen or Spring Chicken?

The annual event that comes whether you like it or not happens this month - I get to celebrate another birthday. I say, “get to” because so many people dread their birthday. The popular saying is, “You might as well enjoy it. Think of the alternative!” But when you say that to a Christian, the alternative is better. As Philippians 1:21 says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Someone in my church had a birthday last week. When I asked how old this person was, I was told thirty-nine AGAIN. And this from a man! I guess hedging when asked your age isn’t strictly a woman’s prerogative after all.

My mom told anyone who asked she was thirty-nine for so long that I really don’t know how old she is now. When I became older than my mom, I told her she was going to have to add a few years!

Our time on earth is short compared to eternity. I wrote a song with the words, “Life is like a vapor quickly gone. Our only hope for eternity is God, the Father. His never-ending love sent Christ, His Son.” These lines were based on James 4:14 , “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” We must make the best of what little time we have on earth. Cherish each day. Live a life that glorifies God.

Not long ago I ran into one of my favorite teachers while waiting for my daughter in the orthodontist’s office. It surprised me to learn his daughter was younger than mine. I took a closer look at him only to realize he couldn’t have been more than five or six years older than me so when I was 17, he was only 22 or 23 - not an old man at all. In high school, he seemed so much older.

So age is a relative matter. And in my case, my relatives remind me of my age. My siblings remind me I am the eldest. My son thinks I am out of touch with popular culture, but my mother thinks I am a spring chicken. So since wisdom comes with age – hopefully -- I have decided that I will go with my mother’s opinion!

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I intend to turn thirty-nine again on my birthday, too.

Prayer: Lord, help us to serve You with all our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Help us to live each day to its fullest. May something we do today have an impact for eternity. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.