There are days when we simply must learn to say “no.” The actual word is a negative response, but there comes a time in life when we can no longer accomplish the things we did 20, 30, 40 years ago. In fact, we often have trouble remembering what we did a minute ago. For many of us, a life of serving others has been our mission. It’s inborn as well as taught by those who have gone before us. Jesus was the perfect example of serving ever. We can’t possibly match Him, but he has given us gifts which we can use to serve Him and His kingdom.

Still, when we reach a certain age, we need to remember that our bodies and minds don’t always remain the same. We grow old. We’re limited in what we can do. When we push too hard to accomplish things, it takes us so much longer to recover from them. What we used to accomplish in a day, now takes a week or more. Admitting that fact is difficult for most of us. It’s like saying “goodbye” to our youth and “hello” to our decline. The whole thing is depressing if you let it be.

Within the last week my schedule included rehearsal and performance. We enjoyed a homemade meal at our house, with family. We attended a church event for Trunk or Treat. We treated ourselves to a dinner out. We watched the Packers play football. We attended church. I went grocery shopping, which is my weekly exercise. Today we were invited to attend breakfast with our church friends. This is a weekly event and also a chance for fellowship. I tried to make my way out of bed at least three times but kept returning to it. Both of us struggled with getting up. We are both 82. Getting out of bed shouldn’t require so much work, but it does.

We shouldn’t feel guilty when we simply can’t keep up anymore. We should feel honored to still be invited, but we can keep those friendships alive in other ways. As we age, we seem to take longer to recover from an illness. We struggle to come back healthier from each surgery. We take longer to heal. We eventually wear out. We still have value, however. Life doesn’t have to be a rat race. We can be useful even when the years start accumulating. The wisdom, knowledge, patience, lessons we’ve learned over time can be of great value to the younger generations.

For me, slowing down has come to mean a freedom of sorts. God has promised to be with us on this journey called life. Knowing that He is there, makes the walk so much easier, but in the meantime, we should remember that we aren’t always physically capable.

PSALM 71:17-18 ESV – “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.