"What's Left?"

Once upon a moment,

A little egg in mother,

Was fertilized by daddy,

And you began, no other.

Once you were a baby,

Helpless innocence,

And then we’re little children,

Much time happened since.

Suddenly teenagers,

Sixteen called us mids,

Really still were babies,

Inside just crazy kids.

We blinked and we were twenty,

But those years passed so fast,

With that ten grew up plenty,

And thirty flew on past.

Then we’re having children,

And can’t believe they’re here,

So many emotions,

Now recalled so dear.

You know by then an adult,

Supposed to know some things,

But by the time we’re forty,

Most have lost their dreams.

By then we’re lots like Daddy,

Or Mom or Granny, too,

Amazing just how deep it runs,

The DNA in you.

Fifty comes and scary,

Where did that time go,

But we’re feelin’ pretty good,

And not act old you know.

Our kids are having children,

And now upon my knee,

Is my little grandchild,

I don’t say no, you see.

But then we’re really older,

Mid-sixties now have passed,

Seventies looking younger,

We wonder if we’ll last.

We maybe have some surgery,

Or get something repaired,

They put in a stent or two,

And you’re okay compared,

To some who do not make it,

Past where you are right now,

They all are sayin’ you look good,

You know they lie somehow.

How long, how much longer,

How many, can you guess,

Eighty, maybe ninety,

Or maybe so much less.

We are now those people,

We thought were ‘bout to die,

Give me some fried chicken,

Don’t stop me, don’t you try.

And if I trade a week or two,

For tasty food and grease,

I’ll enjoy what left of it,

And happier at least.

And really it’s all up to God,

These issues, life and death,

But I will place my trust in Him,

And never fear what’s left.

“So you have not received a Spirit that makes you fearful slaves…” (Romans 8:15, NLT)

Fear not. The scriptures call us to fight our fears by putting our trust in God. This is especially true as we pass through the seasons of life. In some ways it seems like yesterday that we were experiencing our season of youth and all that goes with it. How could we know how this older life would feel? How could we know the fears and worries associated with getting older? We couldn’t. But if we know the Lord and trust Him, each season of life teaches us more about the walk of faith. God is faithful. We can release every burden and concern into HIs hands. He gives us peace when we can find it nowhere else. And there is still the joy of loving and sharing the Lord with others. Don’t despise where life has taken you. God knows, forgives our mistakes, heals our hurts, and says, “There is still time to serve Me.” So true!

Lord, help us to live this season for You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Steve Boaldin, artofthecowboy.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Steve, and God bless you.