“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Cor 5:1)
As I get closer to my 48th birthday I have decided on the one present I want the most: a new body. The one I have now seems to be aging way too fast. I do try to take care of it. Yet, my back still aches no matter how much I stretch it, exercise it, or rest it. The enamel on my teeth has worn down and become sensitive. My glasses have turned into bifocals. I am not eating more but have still gained weight. My skin has more wrinkles and age spots than ever before. My thick brown hair has turned into thin silver hair. And when my aging body walks into a room my mind sometimes forgets what for.
I guess the reason I feel so disappointed in my aging body is because at heart I still feel 18 not 48. On the inside I still feel a zest for life and a delight in living. On the inside my optimism and enthusiasm remain strong. On the inside I still have so much hope, faith, and love. On the inside I know that I am an eternal soul and not an aging body. On the inside I still long to make myself and this world better. On the inside I still want to share kindness, spread joy, and do the will of God. I just wonder sometimes if my body is going to be able to keep up.
I know too that I am not the only one out there who is old in body but young at heart. I think that there are far more of us than we know. The truth is in spirit all of us are ageless and eternal.
All of us are vital and forever young. These bodies are just the cars that we drive around for awhile, and we can’t let the wear and tear on our vehicles hold us back. We have to do what we can with what we have to make this world a better place. We have to use our gifts and talents to bring a little Heaven down here to Earth. We have to do our best and let God take care of the rest. Live from your heart then. Stay young. Love always. Bring joy and scatter sunshine wherever you go. You body will one day grow old and die but your spirit never will.
By: Joseph J. Mazzella