On Seeing Loved Ones Grow Old

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Last week we took a trip to Florida. I did not grow up in Florida, but my mom moved there during my college years. Later my grandparents (my mom’s parents) moved in across the street so that she could see them and help them in their older years.

You might remember me talking about these grandparents previously on the blog. I did a post about their 67 years of marriage (now 70 years) and interviewed my grandmother on any marriage tips she might have. You can read it here: Married 67 Years: Story & Interview.

Our trip to Florida was a good one, but definitely bittersweet. We were going down to see my grandparents one last time before they moved back to Massachusetts to be in a deaf nursing home. They are both in their 90’s (93 and 95) and we know that time is against them, and it won’t be long before God takes them to Heaven.

I don’t know if it will be the very last time we will see them here on this earth, but we treated it as such. We spent 5 days down there and enjoyed every second. My grandparents had yet to meet my daughter, Elizabeth and it had been over a year since they had seen my son, Adam.

My two kids are the only great-grandchildren on that side and it was so wonderful to get pictures of the 4 generations. It’s incredibly amazing that they have lived long enough to see and meet my children. I am so thankful.

I had so many thoughts while I was there visiting. It’s hard seeing your loved ones grow so very old. My grandfather was in the hospital and mentally is not really with us anymore. My grandmother, although still with us mentally, had a hard time and was confused often. It made me sad to see what old age has done to them.

Amid the bittersweetness of our visit, I thought about what the Bible said about growing old. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I fear growing old. Believe it or not, we have a lot to look forward to!

 7 Verses (NKJV) of Encouragement for Growing Old:

• “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” Psalm 37:5 – What a great promise. God will never forsake us!

• “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.” Psalm 71:9 – What a great verse to pray for ourselves or a loved one.

• “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” Psalm 71:8 – Another amazing verse and prayer!

• “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.” Psalm 92:13-15 – A beautiful, wonderful promise for those who love the Lord.

• “Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.” Proverbs 17:6 – Makes me so glad for those that get to meet their great-grandchildren!

• “The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.” Psalm 20:29 – God says the elderly have splendor! Their old age is something to be admired.

• “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” John 3:3-5 – Young or old, anyone can be born again. What a beautiful promise.

 

What about YOU? Have you had to watch someone you love grow old? What are your thoughts on growing old? DO you see it as a joy or something to fear?