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When I Was Your Age
I can’t tell you how many times I heard my grandfather start a conversation with these words. It was usually when he wanted to convince me that what I was doing (or what I wanted to do) didn’t meet with his approval.
“When I was your age, I didn’t play football.”
– Since he grew up on a rural farm during the Great Depression, I’m sure he didn’t.
“When I was your age, I didn’t have farm tractors to plow with. I had to use horses.”
– Ironically, he was telling me this as he sat in his new pick-up truck. I’m sure he didn’t have that either.
“When I was your age, I didn’t watch television.”
– Most likely, this was due to the fact it hadn’t been invented yet.
Please understand that I mean no disrespect towards my grandfather. I loved him very much and was deeply saddened when he died in 1984. My point is that he found comfort in living in the past. This meant he also had trouble accepting the fact that times change and there is nothing we can do about it. I tried to explain this to my grandfather but he didn’t want to accept what I had to say.
Fast forward 30 years—The other day I caught myself saying to my youngest daughter, “When I was your age…” Yikes! I’ve already become my grandfather and I’m only in my 40’s. Times have changed since I was a kid.
We now have the Internet! Cell phones! HD TV! These things make me wonder what we will have in the future.
They also make me wonder what life will be like as I get older. Will I be healthy? How close will my family live to me? Will there be Social Security?
Yes, times are changing and I’m getting older. There’s nothing I can do about it. But, guess what? It’s OK. Jesus says He will stay with me no matter what changes occur in life. He’ll be with you also if you let Him. We don’t have to fear the future or the change that it brings.
- Pastor David Grimes
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