Listen to your father who begot you,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:22

Isn’t it interesting that God, in His wisdom, tells children to not despise their mom when she is old. Maybe that is because, even in history, moms seem to live longer than the dads or is it because it is harder for moms to cut those apron strings and let adult children be adult children. I think it is both. We’ve already talked about children honoring their mothers. Let’s talk a bit about little old ladies. 

We are a funny breed, aren’t we!? We can be sweet and sour at the same time; kind and prickly; eat like a bird and then stuff ourselves like a turkey! We teeter about with our aches and pains until the grandkid scraps a knee and then we are at their side in seconds! We save every keepsake that will fit in the house for decades and then mourn their loss when downsizing is the only option. We love hard and fight hard when it comes to our family and our friends, but we can always find room to show love to just one more person who needs us. Old ladies are fun and annoying; we are sympathetic and callous; we have strong shoulders for others and tears on our knees before our Savior! 

Yep, old ladies are complex, just like everyone else!

In that complexity, as an old lady, I have tried to embrace several foundational truths to help me in this new season I am embarking on. Maybe they will help you understand your own aging mother or if you are an old lady like me, maybe you can relate. Here are the first two.

#1. Run the race to the end with or without a cane! If I wake up in the morning, it means that God has given me one more day to be a mom and a grandma, plus any other job hats I might wear! I might be getting closer to the finish line of my life-race, but that doesn’t mean I should stop running; metaphorically at least. There are lots of ways to thrive in this season of life and I need to embrace those even when I can’t walk as far or as fast as I used to. Or even if I can’t read without the cheaters. Or even if I have to use all kinds of gadgets and gizmos to help the aching feet, back, joints, and…and…and!

As long as God keeps me in the race, I must run to win!

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

#2. My little, or large, circle of influence is more important than ever and every day counts to build into the lives that God brings into my circle.  I had to laugh at a new style old fashioned day planner I bought recently. It wanted me to write down where I saw myself in, one year, five years, ten years and twenty years! Obviously, this day planner was designed by someone way under the age of 65! It’s hard for me to think that far ahead these days though I do hope, Lord willing, I will be able to see my grandkids graduate high school and get married! I tend to live more with an open-hand so God can lead me with what He has for that day rather than for any grandiose plans I may have for twenty years from now. Not that us old ladies shouldn’t plan ahead, but we always need to keep our circle in the mix of that decision making.

Psalm 90:12

So, teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.