When Ty Cobb was 70, a reporter asked him, "What do you think you'd hit if you were playing these days?"
Cobb, who was a life-time .367 hitter, said, "About .290, maybe .300."
The reporter said, "That's because of the travel, the night games, the artificial turf, and all the new pitches like the slider, right?"
"No," said Cobb, "it's because I'm 70."
Whether we are looking forward to it or not, we're all getting older.
Truth is, old age frightens most of us. I think Jonathan Swift was right when he said, "Every man desires to live long, but no man wants to be old."
Old age should be something looked upon with honor and respect. The Jews were commanded, "You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man..." (Lev. 19:32).
But we live in a society where youth is glorified, so age is something you cover up or deny. The talents and skills of the elderly, acquired over a lifetime, are often ignored. Perhaps, a sense of not feeling of value to others leads to questions of value in the sight of God.
Even David expressed his fear when he prayed to God, "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails." (Psa. 71:9).
Fortunately, we know that God will not forsake us then (or at any other time!). Though we may not be able to do at 70 what we could do at 40, there is much to be offered (both to God and others) in the "golden years".
May God help us to appreciate and respect those who are our elders.