Peaches and Prunes - Pt 2

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. (Psalm 1:1-4 ESV). I guess I could’ve titled these devotionals “How to Grow Old Gracefully”; however, that just didn’t seem nearly as catchy as Peaches and Prunes. The truth is we need to be intentional about living our lives. I often wonder if I am fully engaged each day with the foundational thought that God has given me a great gift with waking up that day. Sometimes I think it is altogether too easy for me to merely mark time until the next high point. If you’ve known me for very long you also know the fall is my favorite time of the year. Most of the things I enjoy doing happen at that time of the year. If I’m not intentional about the rest of the year I start a countdown and merely wait until the times I enjoy best. That won’t reap the full benefit of the gift of another day that God has given us. It’s been said there are three stages in life: youth, middle age, and “My, you’re looking good!” (“for as old as you are,” is what they mean). I love the way folks greet Mary and I in chance meetings around town. They usually look at me and sort of recognize me. But then, as soon as they see Mary they say, “Oh, Don and Mary. It’s good to see you.” Then they look at Mary and say, “You haven’t changed at all.” Really? Getting older can be a challenge. You meet a neighbor at the library. “How is your wife doing?” you ask. “Oh, she’s recovered pretty well from surgery. Most of her aches and pains now are a matter of aging.” At the supermarket you run into an elderly friend. You ask, “How is it going?” He mumbles, “It’s just prescription after prescription,” as he shuffles off to the door. You go to the bank ATM, take the cash and receipt and head out the door. You hear a beep, beep, beep. You turn around. The screen asks if you need more time. “No,” you punch in, and your card pops out into your hand. Oops! More forgetfulness. The bald spot on the back of your head is spreading. You look like you’re adding another chin. We’re aging. Or, in less polite terms, we’re getting old. But be of good cheer. You who are planted by “streams of living water” are still bearing fruit in this season of life. You’re not a reed moved unduly by winds of change. You’re not a complaining creeper, trailing along the ground. As a divinely planted tree you are under the care and cultivation of the Lord. Even old-age pruning, though it involves some pain, is for your good. You’re still upright and growing toward heaven itself; use this day intentionally for good things.