Waiting Room...
I read something recently that grabbed my attention and has not left my thoughts.
The article was explaining that our modern culture is the first culture in history that has valued youth over age.
This certainly is true. So much attention is placed on women to look younger, feel younger, act younger. All of the models, actresses, and anyone in front of a camera is groomed to appear younger and more vibrantly youthful.
Anyone not like the way they look a with a softening filter app to enhance the picture?? Be honest.
It is pressure. The older I get, the more I feel it.
God and I have many conversations about this. Lord, just let me grow old gracefully and with JOY. Even when I do not recognize my face in the mirror, let me smile because I will, Lord Willing, be full of much more wisdom!
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. Job 12:12
With all of this said, there is so much to learn from the aged. I could sit at the feet of many, many dear loved ones that have passed and that are still around here on Earth.
Their wisdom is just unmatched.
Yesterday, in fact, I was sitting in a podiatrist waiting room.
(I have been having foot pain for years and I finally decided to have it seen about. See, I have some wisdom to gain still. A whole lot!)
I was by far the youngest patient in that waiting room.
Surrounded by sweet elderly folks, I began to lean in to listen to some of their conversations.
I will never forget something I heard.
A lady was expressing compassion for loved ones that were not able to see their family members in nursing homes due to Covid.
She was shaking her head and saying that those poor people were left alone wondering where their family members were.
The lady then began to tell a story about her very own husband. He is in a nursing home, a Veteran.
She said she has not seen him in months because they are not allowing visitors. She slowly began to soften her voice and whisper that he must wonder where she is. His mind was not good and he probably kept forgetting that she was not allowed face to face visits.
She turned her face to the floor and wiped her eyes.
Clearing her throat, she looked back up and looked up into the ceiling, almost as if she were talking to the sky.
This is what she said: "It's funny. The old song I learned back in elementary school is what I cling to these days. You know, the one that says, "He's got the whole world in His Hands...."
Her voice trailed off as she whispered the words to the song.
I swallowed hard and sat there still and quiet in that waiting room feeling like God had just spoken.
Perhaps, He did.
He speaks.
Let's listen.
Especially to the older generation. They have so much to say. So much to teach.
Wisdom oozing out of their hearts and mouths.
I am desperate for drops of that wisdom. The world is desperate for that wisdom.
What is stealing your peace? What is taking your joy?
Maybe we just all need to sing a few verses to this old bible school song...and let His Peace wash over us.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole wide world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands.
He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands.
He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands.
He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands.
He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got you and me sister in his hands.
He’s got you and me sister in his hands.
He’s got you and me sister in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got ev’rybody in his hands.
He’s got ev’rybody in his hands.
He’s got ev’rybody in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
still singing,
jill
