MIDDLE AGE

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

—Luke 12:25

3389 Prayer For The Middle-Aged

Lord, Thou knowest better than I myself that I am growing older and will some day be old. Keep me from that fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everyone’s affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details, give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonable, sweet. I do not want to be a saint: some of them are so hard to live with, but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so.

—Now

3390 On Fifty’s Right Side

Mr. Venn, convening with a stranger, was thus accosted: “Sir, I think you are on the wrong side of fifty?”

“On the wrong side of fifty!” answered Mr. Venn.

“No, sir, I am on the right side of fifty.”

“Surely,” the other replied, “you must be turned fifty?”

“Yes, sir,” added Mr. Venn; “But I am on the right side of fifty; for, every year I live, I am nearer my crown of glory.”

3391 The Youth Of Old Age

Victor Hugo, titan of French literature, was once called upon to comfort a friend who had arrived at his 50th birthday and was depressed at the idea of growing old.

“You should rejoice, my friend,” Hugo told him, “that you have escaped your forties, which are the old age of youth, and have at last arrived at the age of fifty, which is the youth of old age.”

—Selected

3392 Feeling Protected

A. Leonard Griffiths has a sermon that he calls: “A Gospel for the Middle-Aged.” It is based on the words: “ … the destruction that wasteth at noonday” (Psalm 91:6). Having enumerated some of the perils of the middle-aged, he observes: “The Psalmist sings not of life’s perils, but of the Power protecting him against these perils. See how he begins, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high” … When a man sets his life within the context of faith in God, he does secure himself against many of the destructive elements that assault the human soul.”

—Pastor’s Manual

3393 Epigram On Middle Age

•     Middle age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, “Why not?” and the other, “Why bother?”

—Last Things First

•     The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents and the second half by our children.

—Clarence S. Darrow

•     “Our generation never got a break. When we were young, they taught us to respect our elders, and now that we’re older, they tell us to listen to the youth.”

•     When I was a boy I used to do what my father wanted. Now I have to do what my boy wants. My problem is: when am I going to do what I want?

—Sam Levenson

•     If a middle-aged school superintendent could only sell his experience for half what it cost him, he could live in retirement and luxury.

See also: Man ; Old Age ; Youth ; Heb. 2:6.