1 00:00:02,660 --> 00:00:15,620 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:11,020 --> 00:00:15,430 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Crosswalk Devotional. We are so glad to 3 00:00:15,460 --> 00:00:19,110 Speaker 2: have you listening with us here today. Today's topic is 4 00:00:19,150 --> 00:00:23,829 Speaker 2: about embracing getting older. We will return after a brief 5 00:00:23,890 --> 00:00:40,210 Speaker 2: message from our sponsor. Three Good Reasons for Parents to 6 00:00:40,270 --> 00:00:45,770 Speaker 2: Embrace Aging. Written by Leah Gerard. Read by Rochelle Alberti. 7 00:00:47,290 --> 00:00:51,970 Speaker 2: Bible Reading Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly 8 00:00:52,010 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 2: we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed 9 00:00:55,600 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 2: day by day. 2 Corinthians 4.16 We're all living in 10 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:04,060 Speaker 2: a world that wants us to believe it's easy to 11 00:01:04,140 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 2: find the next magic pill, new exercise, or diet strategy 12 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 2: that will keep us eternally young, even in our old age. 13 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 2: Yet we all know this earthly life will end. None 14 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 2: of us escapes this necessary passage at whatever age God 15 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:24,429 Speaker 2: decides we're ready to stand in His presence. The longer 16 00:01:24,470 --> 00:01:27,710 Speaker 2: I live, and the more sweet opportunities I'm given to 17 00:01:27,750 --> 00:01:31,710 Speaker 2: be present with younger people managing life's challenges, the more 18 00:01:31,790 --> 00:01:35,310 Speaker 2: I understand that getting old is a crown of glory. 19 00:01:36,010 --> 00:01:40,310 Speaker 2: See Proverbs 16.31. We don't all get to arrive in 20 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:43,179 Speaker 2: our senior years. As we near them, we may be 21 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,459 Speaker 2: feeling the pain of letting go of our own parents. 22 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 2: It brings us face to face with the finality of 23 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:52,580 Speaker 2: this sight of heaven. I've learned, though, while growing up 24 00:01:52,620 --> 00:01:56,690 Speaker 2: my silver hair, wearing my glasses regularly, and giving up 25 00:01:56,770 --> 00:02:01,190 Speaker 2: running for yoga, that life fosters compassion as your body weakens. 26 00:02:02,110 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 2: If you're lucky enough to age into your 70s, 80s, 90s, 27 00:02:05,190 --> 00:02:09,060 Speaker 2: and beyond, you will undoubtedly be required to practice a 28 00:02:09,260 --> 00:02:14,639 Speaker 2: lot of grace with yourself, your spouse, your parents, and 29 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:20,209 Speaker 2: your similarly aged friends. A long life affords many blessings. 30 00:02:20,710 --> 00:02:26,230 Speaker 2: Raising children, buying homes, building or rebuilding marriages, watching adult 31 00:02:26,290 --> 00:02:30,580 Speaker 2: children grow, hosting weddings, and so much more. but it 32 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 2: also leaves your heart, soul, body, and mind a bit 33 00:02:33,980 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: depleted of energy. The good news is, as you move 34 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:42,130 Speaker 2: up in years, you naturally overflow with experience, the kind 35 00:02:42,169 --> 00:02:45,390 Speaker 2: of compassionate know-how that you simply don't have when you 36 00:02:45,430 --> 00:02:48,389 Speaker 2: are a teenager, or when you are a new parent, 37 00:02:49,270 --> 00:02:52,430 Speaker 2: or when you are a new empty nester. When you 38 00:02:52,450 --> 00:02:55,579 Speaker 2: start seeing that more of your life involves medical visits 39 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:58,950 Speaker 2: than vacations, Some may feel that aging is something to 40 00:02:59,010 --> 00:03:02,750 Speaker 2: avoid at all costs. But I believe it is an 41 00:03:02,910 --> 00:03:07,310 Speaker 2: earned reward, rich in the kind of contentment that deeply satisfies. 42 00:03:08,169 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 2: Here are just three reasons for parents to embrace growing old. 1. 43 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:19,660 Speaker 2: You've gained an abundance of wisdom. Watching yourself age, even 44 00:03:19,700 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 2: as you try to live a healthy, active life, requires 45 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 2: you to relax your expectations. It softens your countenance and 46 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 2: fills you with empathy while creating a wellspring of wisdom. 47 00:03:31,340 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 2: And the things you know now, like how to budget, 48 00:03:34,060 --> 00:03:39,660 Speaker 2: pay bills, plan events, renovate homes, soothe fussy babies, chaperone trips, 49 00:03:40,060 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 2: and so on and on, are gifts to those who 50 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 2: need you to show them that it can be done. 51 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,180 Speaker 2: Of course, I'm not suggesting you force your wisdom on anyone. 52 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:52,900 Speaker 2: but it's a good feeling to know that your guidance 53 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 2: is based on evidence and carries value. 2. Your trust 54 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 2: in God's eternal promises grows stronger than your anxiety about 55 00:04:02,420 --> 00:04:07,900 Speaker 2: temporary circumstances. The older you get, the more fortunate you 56 00:04:07,980 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 2: are to have been given time to shift your focus 57 00:04:10,740 --> 00:04:14,970 Speaker 2: to an everlasting hope that will never fade. And maybe 58 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:19,210 Speaker 2: this is because you've seen so many things end, break, leave, 59 00:04:19,390 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: let go, and die. As you age, you realize that 60 00:04:23,740 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 2: the external strength and beauty of your youth are not 61 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:30,940 Speaker 2: what carry you through your deepest struggles. If you're a 62 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:34,929 Speaker 2: parent who's been given the bonus of aging, there's hardly 63 00:04:35,210 --> 00:04:38,429 Speaker 2: anything that compares to the privilege of loving your adult 64 00:04:38,470 --> 00:04:41,850 Speaker 2: children as they advance in years as well. When you've 65 00:04:41,890 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 2: lived long enough to see that people not only survive 66 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 2: circumstances but thrive, you tend to worry less. No surficial 67 00:04:49,580 --> 00:04:54,950 Speaker 2: issue becomes a be-all, End all. Over time, the simple, 68 00:04:55,070 --> 00:04:57,750 Speaker 2: quiet joys of life and love are what sustain you. 69 00:04:58,510 --> 00:05:01,390 Speaker 2: Being rich in love and patience becomes more important than 70 00:05:01,450 --> 00:05:07,169 Speaker 2: climbing the ladder, amazing outfits, or expensive vacations. What matters 71 00:05:07,210 --> 00:05:09,370 Speaker 2: when you realize you're simply not as strong as you 72 00:05:09,450 --> 00:05:13,500 Speaker 2: used to be is believing wholeheartedly that God is always 73 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:19,250 Speaker 2: strong enough to carry you through. 3. you have more 74 00:05:19,330 --> 00:05:24,810 Speaker 2: time and space for relaxation, joy, and new adventures. Parenting 75 00:05:24,910 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 2: has many seasons, all of which involve remaining utterly in 76 00:05:28,580 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 2: love with your children. If you're lucky enough to grow 77 00:05:31,620 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 2: old enough, that love can expand across grandchildren and great-grandchildren too. However, 78 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:39,900 Speaker 2: in the senior years, you realize they have lives of 79 00:05:39,940 --> 00:05:42,589 Speaker 2: their own now, and you or you and your spouse 80 00:05:43,070 --> 00:05:46,830 Speaker 2: may have more open space to explore amusements, interests, or 81 00:05:46,890 --> 00:05:49,230 Speaker 2: places you may have only dreamed of when your house 82 00:05:49,270 --> 00:05:53,810 Speaker 2: was filled with people, pets, and responsibilities in the far busier, 83 00:05:53,890 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 2: younger decades. Hold on to the truth that although outwardly 84 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:03,100 Speaker 2: you may be wasting away, as our scripture says, your 85 00:06:03,180 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 2: spirit is being renewed. So go for those long walks, 86 00:06:07,860 --> 00:06:10,700 Speaker 2: ride your bike slowly, take your kids out to dinner, 87 00:06:11,260 --> 00:06:15,430 Speaker 2: find weekend getaways, or just enjoy a peaceful hobby that 88 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:18,870 Speaker 2: brings you joy. You've lived long enough to slow down 89 00:06:19,810 --> 00:06:24,500 Speaker 2: and let your faith be your strength. Intersecting Faith in 90 00:06:24,540 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 2: Life As you consider the joys and challenges of aging, 91 00:06:28,779 --> 00:06:31,979 Speaker 2: why not find a new hobby that delights your soul? 92 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,260 Speaker 2: Pick a place you've always wanted to see and go 93 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:39,510 Speaker 2: there with your spouse or best friend. Choose several scripture 94 00:06:39,529 --> 00:06:42,070 Speaker 2: verses that bring you peace and hope and write them 95 00:06:42,110 --> 00:06:46,550 Speaker 2: down somewhere where you can see them regularly. Further Reading 96 00:06:47,140 --> 00:06:55,340 Speaker 2: Psalm 91-16 Psalm 90-12 Psalm 92-12-14. 97 00:06:59,140 --> 00:07:02,100 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to today's devotional. If you liked what 98 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,219 Speaker 1: you heard today, we want to make sure you know 99 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:08,230 Speaker 1: about our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer. When you follow 100 00:07:08,260 --> 00:07:11,590 Speaker 1: Your Daily Prayer in your favorite podcast app, you'll get 101 00:07:11,630 --> 00:07:14,750 Speaker 1: a brand new prayer and devotional each day, so your 102 00:07:14,770 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: days begin in conversation with God. If you're looking to 103 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: grow in prayer or start your day with your heart 104 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 1: focused on the right things, search for Your Daily Prayer 105 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:28,540 Speaker 1: in your favorite podcast app and be sure to follow 106 00:07:28,580 --> 00:07:31,530 Speaker 1: the show so you get a new prayer delivered straight 107 00:07:31,590 --> 00:07:32,990 Speaker 1: to you each morning. 108 00:07:40,130 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 3: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Live Audio. We just launched 109 00:07:43,650 --> 00:07:47,340 Speaker 3: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 110 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:50,290 Speaker 3: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 111 00:07:50,330 --> 00:07:56,140 Speaker 3: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 112 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 3: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 113 00:07:59,790 --> 00:08:02,250 Speaker 3: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 114 00:08:02,650 --> 00:08:05,410 Speaker 3: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 115 00:08:05,650 --> 00:08:07,870 Speaker 3: so many of you filled out a few months back. 116 00:08:08,150 --> 00:08:10,710 Speaker 3: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 117 00:08:10,770 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 3: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 118 00:08:13,740 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 3: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 119 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:17,540 Speaker 3: We'd love to have you.