Day 31: Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Rev. Sela Finau
Gray
Scripture: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” (Proverbs 16:31 NRSV)
Devotion: Growing up, I was privileged to be surrounded by older folks, including my grandmother, Ana, numerous aunts and uncles, and then my parents. I remember that as they got older, they often dealt with the aches and pains of old age.
The years flew by for this older generation as they continued dealing with health issues and being unable to get around as quickly as before. They were suddenly faced with their mortality. On Ash Wednesday, we were confronted with our mortality, remembering that “we are dust, and to dust, we shall return.” What does God expect from people of this older generation? What do they expect from God? The truth is, no matter how gray our hair gets, God always sees us as a child. God sees our potential and possibilities until the day we die. God’s on our side every step of the way, even when we don’t walk and move as fast as we did twenty or thirty years ago.
The gift of aging is the one called life. We have the opportunity to grow in awareness, wisdom, and experience. We have learned things that others need to know, and God gives us a chance to share those things with those around us. May we share our hopes, dreams, fear, and love with others. May we share our wisdom and experiences with those around us. May we share our God stories with all those that we encounter.
In this season of Lent, remember that age is a number that reflects the number of years that God has blessed us and gifted us with life. May we share our life stories with others. Remember these words from Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
Prayer: Dear God, as we age, we may experience fear, loneliness, and other emotions, help us to remember that we are never alone but that you knew us before we were born, knows us by name, and will continue to be with us until you call us home. Amen
AW
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