This coming week, my dear wife, Diane, celebrates, in her words, a significant birthday. Not old by any stretch of the imagination, she has people telling her on a regular basis that she does not look her age. By God’s grace, that’s a win! It’s not just because I am her husband of 37 years and bound to always say the right thing, I genuinely believe that she does not look a day over 45! I fully recognize that I am a very blessed man to have such a special woman in my life.
Last week, while out of town on a road trip, my wife and I visited her mother, who resides in a seniors’ facility. Sylvia also has a birthday this week, and if you can find a cake big enough, there would be 90 brightly lit candles on top—no doubt an age we all strive to see. Because we live far away and do not get to visit her often, Sylvia’s face lit up when we walked into her modestly furnished but comfortable room. “Diane,” she spoke softly, and then she looked my way. “Hi, Paul. It’s been a long time.” Yes, tears welled up in both our eyes.
Sitting in a plush grey chair beside a large window, Sylvia was reading her Bible quietly. Her grey hair was so pretty, and in her white zip-up sweater, black blouse with pearl-shaped beads adorning the neckline, and black matching pants, she appeared to us as being completely at peace. As we knelt to speak with her, it was abundantly clear that nurturing her faith was top-shelf in Sylvia’s life and her daily routine. Over the course of our visit, she kept repeating a certain Bible verse, as if to assure us that God had her firmly in the palm of his hand at this elderly stage of her life.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
Holding both of our hands, Sylvia made sure we understood that the Lord will renew our strength when we put our hope in Him. With lumps in our throats, we talked about the Lord and our faith, that God is always there to carry us through anything that life throws at us, past, present, and future. Sylvia smiled warmly, and though she alluded to one day soon being with Jesus, her faith and hope in her Saviour, Jesus Christ, were unmistakable.
I will be 64 in a few months, and even though birthdays are not something that any of us can avoid, my wife and I take great comfort from Sylvia’s example and show of faith. One week before visiting Diane’s mom, a prayer came across one of my social media feeds. It too was from Isaiah, and though I was not sure of its context at the time (the Lord knew), it reminded me that God is with us at every stage of life, from the day of our birth to the date when we are called home.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4 NIV)
My friend, allow the Lord to carry you no matter your stage of life. Jesus loves you, and He will neither fail you nor abandon you, ever. There is no one better to carry you. I guarantee it!
Paul Smyth
