Later Years, And Then Some

Life has a way of sneaking up on you, and then, “Pow! Right in the Kisser!” (you have to know the reference to enjoy its usage), it’s gone. The pressure is high to use all the time available and often without thinking about accomplishments. We go after the prize of doing and being but leave the future in the hands of, “Oh, well. It’ll work out in the end.”

Why are we so lackadaisical when it comes to the future?

When we are young, we know we’ll have a lot of time. Invincible! Hit mid-stride, and suddenly we control the world. Let the later years surprise you with their appearance, and you wonder, “Where did it all go?”

This comes up when we think about finances, ability, and success. It’s not all about death and taxes, but accidents and recovery play a role. In the cloud of uncertainty, the future does not always come up roses, nor brighter. It takes planning and prayerfully enough intestinal fortitude to get through life successfully.

My bride and I are blessed even though life’s not perfect. We’ve not seen our granddaughter (and her family) for nearly two years due to the pandemic. My sister and dad are gone. Mom’s alone. My brothers are doing well, but we all know that on a dime, situations can change. Death shows up. Cousins. Friends. The stress of a marketplace gone crazy hits us like a ton of bricks, and our financial base acts blase. Medicare is expensive. Don’t let anyone tell you differently! Today, we live without the big paychecks and constant input of fresh dollars. It seems we squeak through the month with substantially fewer dollars than a year or so back. Don’t Touch The Savings! That’s for rainy days!

Planning Is Only Part of the Equation

Now, I’m looking at tomorrow as if it’s a hundred years away, wondering if we will have enough to make it through. Of course, we do. We always make it. Hmmm. Maybe I better get another job!

You can plan for the good times, but stock markets, politics, and even pandemics have a way of unsettling everything. Throw in an accident. Bam! Car replacement time, along with back injuries that take the fun of driving out of you, ca-ching! There goes the plan. Watch your 90 lb German Shepherd bolt into the backyard, and your bride flies to the ground. Hmmm. Fractured ankle. Doctors. Treatment. It slows you down at the wrong time – you’ve got puppies to sell!

Gloom. Despair. Agony on me. Deep dark depression. Excessive misery.
If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Gloom-Despair-Agony! On me.
~Hew Haw circa the ’70s

Yep, that’s sometimes the luck of the draw. Planning for rainy days, you never see coming is often not in the cards.

If planning does not support life, then sometimes you need luck. Right? Or, maybe God will see us through no matter what the challenge we create or live through.

Here’s My Thought

Someone told me recently they were tired of the often-used phrase: “It is what it is.” Even though we live with this fact, could we produce our own environment that helps us rethink our choices? It’s possible.

It’s like living in a bigger house that’s twice the size and more than what you grew up in, where six people shared a single bathroom. Boy, do we have it nice? Then, you sneak through the house trying to be quieter than you ever thought of as a kid because you don’t want to disturb the guest, wake the dogs, make excessive noise, or turn on too many lights. Then you begin to wonder. Why live like this? I’m ready to design a better house.

At my age? Well, sure! Why not?

A stranger called yesterday asking about our puppies for sale. My bride had an enjoyable time chatting with him. He’s from Russia. Over 80 years old. She asks him if he can handle a rambunctious puppy. “You’re only as old as you think you are!” he replies. He goes on with a story. In his village in the old country, he says the most aged man to ever lived was 145 years old, and 60-Minutes Mike Wallace interviewed him. I’ve not found the interview yet, but I’m looking! Why? That man is more than twice my age! There’s hope I can reach 100 years! Yes! I want triple digits!

Well, triple digits mean it’s only 33 years and a few months more time. Actually, it’s nearly 33-1/3 years away! I can do this! With better planning, perhaps, and a whole toolbox worth of luck! My daughter will be five years older than I am now when I top 100!

It may not be what it is
unless you are ready to accept that
the “what it is” is as best as it can ever be.

Just a convoluted thought of an early morning two-thirds age adult who plans to reach triple digits!

Apostle Paul

You may not realize, but the second letter to his protege, Timothy, is the last known writing of the Apostle Paul. Read through it closely, it’s only four short chapters, and you find a hint that he thinks life is about over for him.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV)

What you will not find is him giving up, slumping into the doldrums of despair, and wringing his hands at the thought – “My life is about over. I might as well stop worrying and doing now.” No! Thousand times no! He instructs Timothy to come before winter if possible (4:21), greet my friends (multiple locations), watch out for certain folks (4:14-15), bring my cloak, the scrolls, and the parchments (4:13). He had sent some to certain locations to continue the work, left some behind where they were with sickness, but be diligent to come quickly.

I imagine Paul as he is led to his final steps of life never giving up. Tradition says he was beheaded. “It is what it is.” Really? I doubt Paul had thought about his circumstances and looked quickly to see who he might convince of Christ. Ready? In the largest sense of the word, yes. Giving up? No way!

That’s Me

I’m Not Giving Up. I will not quit. There’s no towel to throw, no mic to drop, nor last hook to hang my hat on. An old song comes to mind, written by Johnson Oatman in 1908. It brings to mind Paul’s other writings… Press on! (Philippians 3:14) Finish my course with joy! (Acts 20:24)

The Last Mile of The Way

1. If I walk in the pathway of duty,
   If I work till the close of the day,
   I shall see the great King in His beauty,
   When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.
   • Refrain:
     When I’ve gone the last mile of the way,
     I will rest at the close of the day;
     And I know there are joys that await me,
     When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.
2. If for Christ I proclaim the glad story,
   If I seek for His sheep gone astray,
   I am sure He will show me His glory,
   When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.
3. Here the dearest of ties we must sever,
   Tears of sorrow are seen every day;
   But no sickness, no sighing forever,
   When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.
4. And if here I have earnestly striven,
   And have tried all His will to obey,
   ’Twill enhance all the rapture of heaven,
   When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.

Johnson Oatman was my age when he succumbed to death. Accomplishments? Yes, he pastored local congregations and was bi-vocational (retail and insurance), but he wrote over 5,000 Gospel Hymns in his lifetime. Other’s may add the music, but his writing was focused on producing songs. His most popular?

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Maybe the Theme of life is to keep on keeping on until that time you breathe your last breath. Don’t give up. Just keep going.