....aging

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life Proverbs 16:31

A census taker knocked on a lady’s door, clipboard in hand. She answered every question without hesitation — except one. When he asked her age, she firmly refused to answer. “But everyone tells their age to the census taker,” he insisted. She raised an eyebrow and asked, “Did Miss Maisy Hill and Miss Daisy Hill tell you their ages?”

“Of course,” he replied. “Well,” she snapped, “I’m the same age as they are.” With a shrug, the census taker wrote down, “As old as the Hills.”

This story reminds us how sensitive we can be about growing older. We live in a world that celebrates youth and dreads aging. So, when birthdays seem to come faster and faster, and we find ourselves wondering where the years have gone, we feel like gray hair and wrinkles are things we should hide.

But God sees aging differently. In his eyes, growing older isn’t a curse — it’s a blessing. Proverbs calls gray hair “a crown of glory.” In God's eyes, growing older isn’t something to be ashamed of — it’s something to be grateful for. Each passing year, each new line on your face, each gray hair on your head tells the story of a lifetime lived in God’s grace.

Our culture may try to convince us that staying young is the ultimate goal, but God values the wisdom that comes with time. Think about the lessons you've learned through the prayers you've prayed, the storms you've survived, and the faith you’ve built along the way.

So, whether you’re just finding your first gray hair or you've been wearing your “crown” for a while, know that your age is not something to hide. It’s a living testimony to God’s goodness, a beautiful reminder that he’s been with you through every high, every low, and everything in between.

Today, take a moment to thank God for every birthday, every wrinkle, and every lesson he’s taught you along the way. But remember — it’s not just about counting the years behind you. It’s about making the years ahead count for him. Your story isn’t finished yet!

- alan smith

Father, thank you for being with me through every season of my life. Help me to see aging not as a burden but as a beautiful reminder of your faithfulness. Teach me to use my years to honor you and to encourage others along the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.