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Listen while you read: "O Come O Come Emmanuel"1 (Lyrics) |
Psalm 107:9 – For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (ESV)
On our narrow street recently, there were two cars parked, across the street and at each end of the bus stop. As I neared the first parked car, a bus was pulling up to its stop on the other side. Not being in a rush, and having seen the second car parked at the other end of the bus stop, I thought that I would wait and let the bus through after the driver had collected his passengers and moved off.
Among those waiting for the bus was a mother with a pushchair, or stroller, and young children, so it took some time, but I was quite content to wait, unlike the growing queue following me. Suddenly, the car from behind me zoomed past in high dudgeon and overtook me and the first parked car in front, closely followed by the car behind. They were impatient. Sadly for them, they had not seen the second parked car, obscured by the first one!
Oops! This meant that they had to stop even faster than they had accelerated, because they were unable to get any further! Now they, too, had to wait for the bus to move, and I suspect that they felt a bit exasperated. The bus driver and I shared a smile and a knowing look, and with a wave of the hand, he moved off, revealing a space for the cars to move on.
It is a funny thing being a senior with an old man's car. Some people think that driving a boring car and looking older, I have lost my wits, and apparently my road sense as well!
"One up for the wrinklies!" I thought. This derogatory term for seniors has stuck with my sense of whimsy — after all, it is factual — and I admire the bluntness. I decided to take a deep breath, let the moment pass, give the cars some space in front, and move on.
I am quite happy being a wrinkly because I have faced up to it, as it is only a temporary state of being, and describes only my outward appearance.
So, if you can, take the time to spy out the land with me. May we make note of the potential pitfalls and opportunities that life offers, so that we are not suddenly embarrassed by carelessness of thought and deed.
When we stand before the great white throne, let it not be found that we have been sucked into the egotistical rushing about of the world in which we find ourselves, as is so easy to do if we let it seep into our being.
Prayer: Lord, fill us up and let Your light shine in us to cast out the darkness. May we go through the day taking the time for You to be with us in the doing, to be a guard for our minds, and to put Your song of love in our hearts. In and through the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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A great story. Those wrinkles do teach us important lessons.
Good one, Rod! I see it all the time as I try to stay within the speed limit and cars can’t wait to pass.
I loved your devotion this morning. Maybe because I identified so much with it. I too am a wrinkly and that much wiser for it.
God bless and have a great day.
Thank you for a very thoughtful devotional, Rod.
Wrinkly indeed. I use the name which you signed this piece about everyday Christian living. I do like the details you include to make your work particularly relevant. Blessings on your journey.
Thank you for this lovely devotional this morning. It touched my “wrinklie” heart. I was feeling my age this morning, and your words just hit home. How blessed we are to be surrounded with our Lord’s love and care every day of our lives. And what’s another wrinkle or two.
From another wrinklie.
Hi Rod,
This devotional not only carries a great spiritual message, but also includes a great message of respect and decorum while driving. As you say, we need to slow down a bit and let the love of God rule our hearts, and not the ticking of a clock!
Blessings.
Hello Rod.
Thanks for writing and relating your experience with impatient drivers. Cute expression “wrinklies” relating to our aging years. One thing for sure that doesn’t change as we age is that our Lord’s love and care is ever there for us.
Blessings upon you each day.
(B.C.)
Hello Rod
Thank you for your devotional. I too am a senior, but I always get a kick out of the reaction when people are given the right of way instead of me going like I should, I too will wait, and it blesses my heart to see the appreciation most of the time. I think a bit surprise to them since it doesn’t always happen.
I know it touches me when someone gives me the right of way or some other gesture of consideration so why not share??
God bless.
Thanks, Rod, for sharing this learning experience about the value of patience with us. It brought back a particular time in my life when I should have exercised patience but didn’t to my chagrin. Blessings.
Hi Rod: I so enjoy your devotionals. They really capture life. So often when I am driving around, even driving at the speed limit, I get passed by anxious, impatient drivers who can’t always see what lies ahead. Frequently I find I am right behind them at the next stoplight. All their rushing didn’t get them very far. We need to learn to slow down and take in what is going on around us! Blessings for the coming Advent and Christmas seasons.
Dear Roderick,
I have never called myself a “Wrinklie”, but I suppose I might if I wanted to. There is a bit of humor in it. I am ‘elderly” according to the calendar, but God has given me the ability and “go” to publish a second book of devotions, all most all of which have been published by PresbyCan Daily Devotions.
Thank you for the devotional.
Keep writing for God’s sake.