Is There ANYTHING Good About Getting Older?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#1
Hey Singles,

This is something I've thought about for a long time.

What do you see when you look at your parents and grandparents? Do you see them in a stage of life you look forward to getting reaching? Or do you look at their situation with dread, and how does it affect the way you live and feel about the years passing by?

I do realize that a person's current age will probably have the biggest influence over his/her answer. The reason I ask is because when I was younger, people who WERE older than me (my Grandma, for instance) told me to "Never get old!" because "It's a terrible thing!" (as if any of us have a choice.)

As I find myself in my 40's... I hear people all around me complaining about their lives and how bad it is "to get old"--they passionately give every detail of their aches and pains, their loneliness, their responsibilities and family drama--and the thing is, these people are in their mid-to-late 40's. In other words... they're right around MY age, telling me how good it must be to "still be young" as if I'm still a teenager with no experience in life.

I've had people even just 2 years older than me telling me these kinds of things, and they know very well how old I am (they just seem to forget when they look at me, I guess.) It's funny to me because I have a deeply beloved grandparent who is well on the way to becoming a centurion and yet does not talk down to me (or anyone else) like that, but I have people who are 43 speak down to me as if I'm a child.

Is there not anything to look forward to in life after, let's say, age 45???!!! A childhood friend and I were talking about all the milestones we went through together--moving from grade school to high school and then from high school to college; first time at summer camp; driver's ed and getting our licenses; first cars, prom, and relationships; turning 18 and then 21; first apartment and then house, and later for her, marriage and children. We joke now that all we have to look forward to is medicare, social security, and for her, someday becoming a grandparent.

It also makes me sad that so many people don't take care of their health. I've worked in stores all my life, and nowadays, I see people waiting in line--and fighting over--motorized chairs that the stores provide. They go to the pharmacy to pick up bags full of medicine... and then fill the shopping basket in front of their cart with soda, candy, frozen pizza, and ice cream. I'm not saying this in judgment, but in fact, because I see what they buy every week with my own eyes. I always silently pray for them, that they will make healthier choices and prepare for the bright future I want to believe they have ahead of them.

A few days ago I saw a mother and daughter riding in single file through the grocery store, each of them in a separate motorized cart because they could not walk very far on their own. The mother was probably my age or younger (let's say around age 36), and the daughter was probably no more than 16, and they were both poring over the candy section, filling both carts to the brim. I felt so sad for both of them. I want to believe they're going to have a strong and healthy future, not one of immobility and sickness.

I often pray for people I see throughout the day, and also for myself... that God will help me to have the discipline to stay healthy (and I need a lot of help, seeing as writing this thread is my way of putting off going to the gym!) and that I will be able to tell younger people, "It's not so bad to get old(er). God can use you in ways you've never even imagined when you were 17." I want to somehow offer them hope, and not make them terrified of getting older as others have instilled in me.

How about yourself? What has your experience been with older people in your life?

* Do you look forward to getting older, or are you afraid?

* What kinds of things are you looking forward to?

* What do others tell you about getting older, and what it's like?

* How do you feel we should look at our older populations?

People to be pitied and looked after... or role models we are striving to become?
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#2
I here that 50 is the new 30...maybe that's just something 50 year olds tell each other :)
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#3
Two passages I absolutely cherish when I think about this subject:

* Deuteronomy 34:7 -- "Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, nor his strength gone."

* Caleb says to the people, in Joshua 14:11 -- "Behold, I am 85 years old today. I am still as strong today as in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now. Now, give me this hill country which the Lord spoke about that day... perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive out (the people of the land) as the Lord has spoken."

Can you imagine that?

This statement puts all the big 80's action stars to shame!! Arnold? Jackie? Jean Claude? Sly? BAH.

On Caleb's 85th birthday, he had only one wish as he blew out all those candles--he fiercely wanted to go kick some enemy butt and take over the Promised Land, just as he had seen and believed it to be when he was young!

I hope that when I "get old", God will make me like Caleb (it's a good thing I already have attitude to spare :cool:.)
 
S

Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#4
Experience. Not everyone really chases knowledge or wisdom, but they're things I cherish and pursue.

Still...
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,862
9,581
113
#5
I don't fear getting older, but I don't look forward to it either. My entire family is plagued with bad bones, hips, backs, knees and hearts. I look ahead and I see only increasing physical pain for all of us. My mom and dad are 80 and 84, respectively. They can barely even walk and can't lift anything heavy any more, whereas even just 5 or 10 years ago, they could. They won't accept help from anyone, and Pop tries to do everything himself, which almost cost him his life last Thanksgiving day. He was outside shoveling snow, and couldn't breathe, so he went into the house, sweat pouring off him. My mom called 911 and Pop spent two weeks in hospital, and had stents put in on one side of his heart.

If my mom hadn't been home to call 911, I'm positive that Pop would have died. :( He had a heart attack several years ago in his forties, and his parents both died of heart attacks. Now he needs a hip replacement but the doctors don't want to do it because of the condition of his heart. I can only hope that when he dies, it will be in his sleep, and not outside somewhere with no one around to help him.
 

Elin

Banned
Jan 19, 2013
11,909
141
0
#6
Hey Singles,

This is something I've thought about for a long time.

What do you see when you look at your parents and grandparents? Do you see them in a stage of life you look forward to getting reaching? Or do you look at their situation with dread, and how does it affect the way you live and feel about the years passing by?

I do realize that a person's current age will probably have the biggest influence over his/her answer. The reason I ask is because when I was younger, people who WERE older than me (my Grandma, for instance) told me to "Never get old!" because "It's a terrible thing!" (as if any of us have a choice.)

As I find myself in my 40's... I hear people all around me complaining about their lives and how bad it is "to get old"--they passionately give every detail of their aches and pains, their loneliness, their responsibilities and family drama--and the thing is, these people are in their mid-to-late 40's. In other words... they're right around MY age, telling me how good it must be to "still be young" as if I'm still a teenager with no experience in life.

I've had people even just 2 years older than me telling me these kinds of things, and they know very well how old I am (they just seem to forget when they look at me, I guess.) It's funny to me because I have a deeply beloved grandparent who is well on the way to becoming a centurion and yet does not talk down to me (or anyone else) like that, but I have people who are 43 speak down to me as if I'm a child.

Is there not anything to look forward to in life after, let's say, age 45???!!! A childhood friend and I were talking about all the milestones we went through together--moving from grade school to high school and then from high school to college; first time at summer camp; driver's ed and getting our licenses; first cars, prom, and relationships; turning 18 and then 21; first apartment and then house, and later for her, marriage and children. We joke now that all we have to look forward to is medicare, social security, and for her, someday becoming a grandparent.

It also makes me sad that so many people don't take care of their health. I've worked in stores all my life, and nowadays, I see people waiting in line--and fighting over--motorized chairs that the stores provide. They go to the pharmacy to pick up bags full of medicine... and then fill the shopping basket in front of their cart with soda, candy, frozen pizza, and ice cream. I'm not saying this in judgment, but in fact, because I see what they buy every week with my own eyes. I always silently pray for them, that they will make healthier choices and prepare for the bright future I want to believe they have ahead of them.

A few days ago I saw a mother and daughter riding in single file through the grocery store, each of them in a separate motorized cart because they could not walk very far on their own. The mother was probably my age or younger (let's say around age 36), and the daughter was probably no more than 16, and they were both poring over the candy section, filling both carts to the brim. I felt so sad for both of them. I want to believe they're going to have a strong and healthy future, not one of immobility and sickness.

I often pray for people I see throughout the day, and also for myself... that God will help me to have the discipline to stay healthy (and I need a lot of help, seeing as writing this thread is my way of putting off going to the gym!) and that I will be able to tell younger people, "It's not so bad to get old(er). God can use you in ways you've never even imagined when you were 17." I want to somehow offer them hope, and not make them terrified of getting older as others have instilled in me.

How about yourself? What has your experience been with older people in your life?

* Do you look forward to getting older, or are you afraid?

* What kinds of things are you looking forward to?

* What do others tell you about getting older, and what it's like?

* How do you feel we should look at our older populations?

People to be pitied and looked after... or role models we are striving to become?
Getting old is not for sissies.
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#7
The best thing about getting old is retirement - spending the rest of one's days doing the things you always wanted to do, even doing nothing if that is your wish. Time I guess is the best thing about getting old. Oh yeah and a free bus pass lol. Of course no one knows the state our health will be in by the time we retire so that will be a factor in what we are able to do.

As Siberian says - wisdom, you don't get older without getting wiser and I guess most people are more financially sound by the time they get old...one would hope?

It's true that for the Christian death has lost it's sting but it's what we have to go through before we get there that is a concern...or perhaps will be by the time we make retirement age, assuming we do. ;)
 
V

VioletReigns

Guest
#8
The older I get, the less I expect of others, and that's liberating. \:D/

You also don't hold grudges as long as you did when you were young. That's because your memory is tired and you either forget what you were ticked off about ~ or ~ you're too tired to care. ROFL!!! :eek:

I loved being young and have lots of amazing memories. But I wouldn't want to have to go through it all over again. 'Cause some stuff was excruciatingly difficult and heartbreaking.

And this is the honest to goodness truth ~ I'm happier and more content now than I ever was in my life, and I'm 58. I know it's because God's causing me to surrender more and more into His embrace and His face & Voice are becoming more & more reality to me than my own breath. All glory due Him for His lovingkindness, mercy and faithfulness! Woohoo!! \:D/

My dear mother died in excruciating pain from cancer... my beloved aunt had terrible pain from cancer as well and she died in my arms... I don't suffer from physical pain, glory to God but there's been horrendous suffering in my life. I don't mind listening to people when they want to talk about their pain because I know how bad it can get when you feel alone in your pain. There were times in the past during my emotional suffering when I thought my heart would burn up in fiery fear or burst from intense grief and kill me. No lie! Praise Almighty God, the Lord delivered me and strengthened and renewed my heart. I can't help but feel empathy for others when they're in extreme suffering.

And last but not least, the older I get, the bolder I get. I don't beat around the bush with people anymore. I say what I mean and mean what I say without all the youthful timidity and anxious fear of looking like a fool or whatever. People seem to feel more relaxed around ya when you put your cards on the table like that.

Hope this all helps. :)
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#9
Nonsense. All it means it that I sometimes have to hit some of the young punks twice, now, to get them to go down.
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#10
Willie, you're a nutter! LOL

Oh I forgot to add...the older I get the less I care what others think of me. Of course I care very much what God thinks of me. :)
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#11
Nonsense. All it means it that I sometimes have to hit some of the young punks twice, now, to get them to go down.
Well if getting older means I'll have permission to smack some people not just once, but TWICE...

Sign me right up.

Get ready, AARP... Here I come!
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#12
Seriously. If you simply remember that you have to consistently exercise both your body and mind more than you did when you were younger, it ain't bad.
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#13
Seriously. If you simply remember that you have to consistently exercise both your body and mind more than you did when you were younger, it ain't bad.
Yea IF you can remember ?
 
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#15
Yes!

a) Christian Singles Forum and

b) Heaven (or hell)
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#16
My wife's sister is just short of 80, and she still does a marathon (fast walking) a couple of times a year. My 55 year-old sister and her even older husband run a race of some kind at least twice every month... all year long.

I manage to saunter around the lake with my dog three times a day.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,940
4,580
113
#18
I do have to say that the one thing I know I'm looking forward to is retirement. When I was younger, I was in school full-time and working 3 jobs, so when I left school and just worked full-time, I honestly felt semi-retired.

I have to wonder though if most people my age ever WILL get to retire. I know many people whose retirement nest eggs have been spent on helping their adult children after a major life event or are now raising their grandchildren and paying for their expenses.

I never go to Starbucks but went there today because I had a coupon for a free drink. I could not believe the lines--literally 20 cars wrapped around the small building--and my frappucino came to almost $5 with tax (I would never have gotten it without the coupon!!) I was thinking, "People actually buy $5 coffees every day, and sometimes more than once a day?!" That's at least $25 a week (assuming it's just before work and not every single day of the week)... $100 a month... on take-out coffee? That's more than half my grocery budget for the month, and $1200 a year! But for so many people, especially my age, it's a "necessity"...

Retirement is actually my biggest future goal, though sometimes it's very discouraging because I know it's a long ways away... but I'm thankful that my parents raised me to always be aware of "leaks" in my wallet... and how to patch them up as much as possible. I was taught to live within, and even under my means when I can.

I see debt as evil and do what I can to get it paid off as soon as possible. To me, every debt that's paid off is a rope around my neck that gets cut off... and the very last rope is working for an employer or a job that I depend on for a living.

I can't wait for the day when, hopefully, that very last rope will be cut away!

I see so many ads for interesting groups, organizations, and charities I'd love to be a part of, but I'm always working.

To someday have the FREEDOM to pick and choose which things I want to try is my greatest motivation in life. It would be wonderful to meet someone who has the same goals and interests to share life with... but if that never happens, just being able to have CHOICES will be good enough for me.
 
V

VioletReigns

Guest
#19
I don't fear getting older, but I don't look forward to it either. My entire family is plagued with bad bones, hips, backs, knees and hearts. I look ahead and I see only increasing physical pain for all of us. My mom and dad are 80 and 84, respectively. They can barely even walk and can't lift anything heavy any more, whereas even just 5 or 10 years ago, they could. They won't accept help from anyone, and Pop tries to do everything himself, which almost cost him his life last Thanksgiving day. He was outside shoveling snow, and couldn't breathe, so he went into the house, sweat pouring off him. My mom called 911 and Pop spent two weeks in hospital, and had stents put in on one side of his heart.

If my mom hadn't been home to call 911, I'm positive that Pop would have died. :( He had a heart attack several years ago in his forties, and his parents both died of heart attacks. Now he needs a hip replacement but the doctors don't want to do it because of the condition of his heart. I can only hope that when he dies, it will be in his sleep, and not outside somewhere with no one around to help him.
Wow, I could see how you'd be apprehensive about the future, Lady Blue. :eek:

But I pray in Jesus' name the Lord do the impossible and bless your health in His miraculous grace and love so that the years ahead will not be painful for you.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,862
9,581
113
#20
Wow, I could see how you'd be apprehensive about the future, Lady Blue. :eek:

But I pray in Jesus' name the Lord do the impossible and bless your health in His miraculous grace and love so that the years ahead will not be painful for you.

​Thank you, Violet. :)