"Old Man"

They say don’t let the old man in,

But I’m not sure just how,

I’ve said good-bye to many men,

And to their wisdom bow.

Men who lived until death came,

And when it did they went,

Gave their best, my heart gives fame,

‘Cause they were heaven-sent.

But how they felt and what they thought,

When that rider came in sight,

Wonder if they would have bought,

More time to make things right.

Next round as we mark time I’ll be,

Seventy years plus two,

No way to know what’s left for me,

Or more for me to do.

But I will say the Lord I serve,

Will have the final say,

I’ll by the Spirit claim the nerve,

To live for Him each day.

And life is Jesus, without doubt,

And when these days are through,

I’ll go to heaven with a shout,

And between me and you,

I love this life God gave to me,

I’m thankful to the core,

But heaven’s coming, that will be,

What I am living for.

And for the ones God gave to me,

I love them all so much,

I’ll cherish them each day you see,

With words and deeds and touch.

Won’t let the old man in at all,

But saddle up and ride,

Straight up and listening to His call,

And in His grace abide.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4, NIV)

When we were young and naive, we thought life was about over by the time you’re fifty. Then the decades pass with life lessons we experience, and sixty doesn’t seem too old. Some of us now are past seventy, and have already had to say good-bye to family members and close friends. Grandparents, parents, siblings and besties have crossed over, and we miss them. We realize that we have fewer years ahead than are past, and life takes on a whole different perspective. The important thing is not to give up, and let the changes make you hopeless. God grants us life and each day is a new gift. Let us live for heaven, but spend our time taking someone with us. God is good to the end.

Lord, help us live each day for You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Shawn Cameron, used by permission. Thanks, Shawn, and God bless you.