“You Were Young Then, But Now You Are Old”

Recently a little boy said to me, “You were my favorite primary teacher. You were young then, but now you are old!” (I guess I have aged a lot in the last three years since I taught him in primary, hmmm it must be covid. Ha, Ha)

I could not stop laughing at this. His comment brought a smile to my face that lasted all day! After a while, I began to reflect upon it and ask why I thought his remark was so funny. I live in a world where growing old is dreaded. Most would not be laughing about this. They would go get some botox, a lift, nip or tuck in aghast at the idea of looking old.

I was laughing because I don’t look at the process of aging as a curse. I see it as a blessing. My little friend’s words brought a smile to my face because it reminded me of all the joy I have experienced with children through the years. My life has been a wonderful journey and every wrinkle has a story. Not all my wrinkles represent the joys I have experienced. Some represent the sorrows. But I wouldn’t trade them for anything. The sorrow has been part of the joy.

I think the secret of growing old is understanding there is purpose in it. We never experienced old age in our pre-mortal state, and we will never experience old age in our post-mortal state. Aging is something we only experience once in all of eternity, and it is here in this mortal world. Why is that? There must be a reason God wants His children to experience the process of growing old. What does he want us to learn, and become because of it? 

I may not know all the answers to these questions, but for now I can be at peace and trust that growing old is part of God’s plan and choose to be humble and allow Him to teach me through this season of life.

If I could go back and be young again would I? Never! There are treasures I have found that only come with age. Here are just a few.

Coming to know ourselves

One of the great treasures that comes with age is knowing ourselves better, being at peace with ourselves and not worrying about what others think. We can be okay with our weaknesses, our inadequacies and imperfections because we know the Savior’s grace can transform us and make up the difference with what we cannot do, if we are willing to allow Him to do so. Thus, we are not afraid to change. When we are young we are all a little insecure. Negative feedback can rock our world. However, as we get on in years, we don’t take things so personally. We appreciate all kinds of feedback because it helps us make course corrections so we can be prepared to meet God. 

Through the process of aging, we can also develop charity for ourselves. As we do so, we then are free to love others more deeply. With age, our spirits soar, even as our bodies decline. 

“The door to wisdom is knowing yourself.” Anonymous

Experience, Wisdom, and Eternal Perspective

How can we put a price tag on experience? The older we get, the more experiences we have had, bringing knowledge, understanding, wisdom and an eternal perspective. These things help us make better decisions and to not worry so much. 

With whatever is happening around us we have basically been there, done that or know someone else who has. We are familiar with the journey and feel the peace that eventually it will be okay. With strengthened faith over time, we know adversity is not a tragedy. We come to know that everything that is wrong in our lives or the lives of our loved ones will ultimately be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

“Wisdom is the daughter of experience.” Anonymous

Posterity 

The greatest treasure of aging is the joy and peace that come from posterity! I thought being a parent was great, and then grandchildren came along. It is awesome! Joy in posterity is a gift that keeps giving and growing. Not all have the opportunity to marry. Others are unable to bear children. To any who remain faithful, no blessing will be denied. Posterity is one of the great prizes of mortality, the jewels of old age and the treasure of eternity.

“The ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity.” Dallin Oaks

I invite each of us to not fear the process of aging, but to embrace it. As we do so, we will allow our spirits to soar. We shall not pass this way but once, so let us discover what God wants us to learn and become through the aging process. With His help, we all can age gracefully.

#ComeUntoChrist #findingjoyandpeace #Christianity