(The LORD said) "Because you are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you . . ." Isaiah 43:4a
One of my senior citizen friends came in the other day and shared a story with me that I would now like to give to you.
Understand, I can't verify the truth of the story because my friend is quite a story-teller herself. Even so, this is what she, with a twinkle in her eye, said to me: "It was about two weeks ago, my five-year-old granddaughter climbed up on my lap and spent considerable time inspecting my white hair and wrinkles."
"After the examination was over, with great seriousness she asked, 'Grandma, did God make you?' I told her that He had."
"Knowing that when she starts asking questions, they can keep coming for a while, I wasn't surprised to find my granddaughter had another question for me. She asked, 'Did God make me, too?' I was relieved the query wasn't any harder. Yes, God made you, too. I told her."
"'Well,' said my dear five-year-old, 'Don't you think God is doing a better job nowadays than He used to?'"
With the emphasis the world puts on youth and the avoidance of aging, many people might agree with the granddaughter's conclusion.
That is hardly the case. God doesn't determine our worth on the basis of the candles on our birthday cake or the wrinkles on our forehead.
Indeed, one of the great joys of Christianity is the Savior loves young and old alike. Men and women are all in need of His care, and all believers constantly receive His grace, forgiveness, and redemption.
So to all of you who look in the mirror and see wrinkles that weren't there a few years ago, to all of you who find you can't keep up with the children the way you used to, I say, rejoice!
You have a Lord who loves you and a Savior who died so you might live forever.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, what a comfort to know I am precious in Your sight. No matter my age, my wrinkles, or the condition of my worn-out body, You love me. To You, my Creator, I give thanks. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 26-27 Luke 1:1-20
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