Mature Shoes

Wesley Meixell, my father, in  a 2002 picture 

" Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained."

(Philippians 4:15) 

Recently I was digging through closets and found both treasures and items that went into the trash. I would like to share with you one of the treasures. It came in the form of a single 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of typewritten paper. The author was my dear father who has been with Jesus since 2010. The paper contained a study that he had prepared for the Mount Hope Mid Week Studies on November 7, 1996. The title of the study was: "Aging: Phunny, Phooey, or Phabulous?" The specific information on the page was entitled: "Biblical Principles/Teachings To Appropriate For Aging." Here is his advice:

"1. ACCEPT the transitoriness of life on earth: 'You turn us back to dust and say, 'Turn back you mortals, for a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past or like a watch in the night.' (Psalm 90:3-4) 

2. PRACTICE SERENITY: " I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound in any and all circumstances. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and want.' (See also Genesis 37:17-28 and James 45:4-8 and James 1:12 and 1 Peter 2: 19-25)

3. ENJOY YOUR FAMILY: ' May you see your children's children.' (Psalm 128:6) Even if you do not HAVE grandchildren, enjoy the other members of your family.

4. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST EVERY DAY: 'Abraham died FULL OF YEARS' ENJOY those years here on earth. (See also Ecclesiastes 3:22)

5. OVERCOME ADVERSITY: Jesus said: ' In THIS WORLD you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'( John 16:33 ; See also 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 about Paul's sufferings.)

6. DEEPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE (Relationship with God) 'If you have been RAISED with Christ seek the things that are ABOVE' (Colossians 3:1-4)

7. PUT GOD FIRST IN EVERYTHING: 'Cast me not off in the time of old age.' (Psalm 71:9)

8.PRACTICE COMPASSION: ' Happy are those who consider the poor; the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.' (Psalm  41:1)

9. TRUST IN GOD THE FATHER,SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT: ' Lord You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever you formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting YOU ARE GOD.' (Psalm 90:1-2)

10. TRUST IN OUR AWESOME GOD: If God could even 'burn up the stones' of the altar in the contest with the prophets of Baal, SURELY He can help us. (See 1 Kings 18: 25-29;36-39)

NOTE: I purposely made the first word of each statement above a VERB. ACT your faith. LIVE it.

SUGGESTION: Read selected portions of the Bible and WRITE OUT verses or paragraphs that YOU can apply to aging. Keep them in a notebook and read them from time to time as reminders of YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IN CHRIST!"

This ends the advice listed by my father. I am happy to report that my father lived out the above list with great gusto. He was a wonderful example to those around him of how a Christian man ages. In fact he is the one person more like Christ than any I have ever known.

Dear sisters, if you have begun to wear those "mature shoes" or the "senior citizen shoes", do not panic! Rejoice that God has blessed you with a long life. Rejoice that he has given you the opportunity to share your wisdom with others. Rejoice that you can live Christ before those much younger. If you are younger and are not even close to wearing "mature shoes", I encourage you to seek out those who do. Ask them for their advice. Speak words of encouragement to them. Include them in your life. Bless them. It will be a blessing to you.