Years ago, Larry and I were chaperones on a teen trip that left us sleeping in many different abodes. If my memory serves me, we slept at a hostel, in beautiful college dorms on Lake Michigan, and in many campsites. But the most memorable place took us down a very long road late at night. Imagine our surprise when the lights of that old church bus flashed on rickety old cabins, when we had been promised luxurious accommodations. There was no electricity, running water, or bathrooms, and only mattresses on the floor to sleep on. We had no cell phone back then to call the owners to complain, and it was too far to get in the bus and escape this desolation, so we decided to stick it out. Some of the guys ended up in the kitchen sleeping anywhere they could throw their sleeping bags — including on the tables, The girls and I slept in the dilapidated old cabins, but there was no sleeping as we were not sure what might be crawling around on those old mattresses.

We were all glad to see morning come. While breakfast was being prepared over a campfire, some of the guys took a tour of our supposedly luxurious surroundings. They found a much-needed outhouse, but as they went further down the road, they found a beautiful new facility. We had spent a miserable night at the old one. We had stopped short of the new!

Isaiah 46:4 – I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (NLT)

I thought of that experience as I read about a woman who was bemoaning her 50th birthday. May I just say that she is only a youngster. I have stuff in my refrigerator older than that, but I felt her pain. She wondered if that was the end for her. What could she do for the Lord at that ripe old age?

I have wondered the same thing. Like me, she could not see the new thing that God had in store for her. Right then, she was fumbling around in the dark, just seeing old ahead of her, but around the bend, God still had new plans for her if she would just be patient and not stop short. I see nothing in Scripture that says that we are washed up as we grow older. In fact, I see that God has used older people many times to do His work.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT)

I read a quote the other day: "In order to be old and wise you must first be young and stupid." Could it be that we who are older are called to show the way to those fumbling in the dark? How can we offer our wisdom and experiences to those around us and lead them to Christ?

Prayer: Lord, help us to wait on You, for You are never too late and never too soon. Thank You that You will be with us even in our old age. Amen.