Four old widows got together every Tuesday afternoon to play bridge. At one of these meetings, Agnes announced to the other three that she was getting married. Naturally, they wanted to know all about him, but they were even more curious as to why she was getting married at her advanced age. So they started with the questions.

One suggested, “He must be rich!” to which Agnes replied, “No, he gets a Social Security check just like me.”

Another suggested, “He must be good looking!” to which Agnes replied, “He’s nothing special to look at. Bald, a little overweight.”

The third said, “He must treat you good!” Agnes said, “He treats me okay, but nothing special.”

They couldn’t stand it any longer, so one of them finally said, “Agnes, if he isn’t rich or good looking and he doesn’t treat you good, why in the world are you marrying this fellow?” Agnes smiled and said, “He still sees good enough to drive after dark!”

People have different ideas about aging gracefully. I don’t know how good of a job I’m doing at it, but I’m trying. I try not to complain about the physical failings that I have, but it is difficult not to talk about them in a group of people my age who are going through the same things.

I try to accentuate the positive, remember my blessings, and enjoy the stage of life in which I find myself. I believe God still has a purpose for me being here on this earth before He takes me to Himself. So how can I age gracefully, in a God-pleasing way?

When I think about that, I try to consider what God has said about it in His Word. Here a few of the passages you might want to consider.

If you are having trouble with your kids, regardless of their age, ponder this passage. Cheryl and I both still have our mothers with us in this side of heaven, so this speaks loudly to us.

Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

We need to remember to treat our parents the way we want to be treated.

Some passages might “step on your toes” a bit. While the Bible often associates older women with blessings, that is not always the case.

1 Timothy 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

As people age, one of their big fears is abandonment, and that is addressed in Scripture, too.

Psalm 71:9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone…18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

The blessings of a long life are spoken of in many places, too, like this one:

Genesis 25:8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years;

The way for all people to age gracefully is to look to and listen to the one who is the expression of God’s Grace, the one who is God’s promise made flesh, the one who took your sins on Himself and paid the price of His life so that you can be forgiven. Faith and confidence in Him assures you that you are in God’s hands, safe and secure. And when you die, whether it be at a good, old age or sometime before that, you will be with your Redeemer for all eternity.

Young or old, the way to live every day of your life is remembering that you have God’s grace, His undeserved love, which assures you of your forgiveness and salvation.