Embrace Your Age. It is a gracious gift from the Lord.

Liz Curtis Higgs, one of my most favorite Christian writers and Bible teachers was teaching a series on her book, The Women of Christmas during the month of December and on this night she was teaching about Anna the prophetess.  

Higgs started out her teaching with a word about Anna and the setting for her story–Mary and Joseph bringing baby Jesus into the temple and Simeon holding him high and then Anna came in that instant (Luke 2:38) to see the Messiah.  Higgs also brought focus to the fact that Anna was an older lady still working and serving the Lord.  

And then she said this, ‘Ladies, I have to stop right here and say this, Why do we discount ourselves because of our age?  Why do we do that to ourselves? Why do we sabotage ourselves?  Forty-year-olds say they have missed their opportunity.  Sixty-year-olds say it’s too late. And seventy and eighty-year-olds say, I just can’t do what I used to do.’

Higgs goes on to say, ‘Ladies, do not disrespect or say things like that to yourself–belittle yourself.  Your age is impressive!’ 

And I had to push the replay button again and again to soak in her words.   

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Many women today believe it’s too late or their time has passed for them to pursue their dreams, make a difference for others, serve God.  And we drown ourselves in our own doings–in negativity, doubt, and sadly, even with discouragement from others. 

But God’s word says this….

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 

Sarah, the Bible describes her as “old”, “well-stricken in age”. And she conceived and had Isaac. (Genesis 18:11)

Elizabeth, the angel told Mary, “thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age’ (Luke 1:36)

Sarah and Elisabeth’s babies, both were miracle babies, part of God’s plan at the time.

Now I don’t believe God will ask any of us to bear children in our old age–but He could, if it was His will.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

Anna, the Bible states “she was of a great age” and had been serving the Lord in the temple day and night, praying and fasting. She was a widow and had committed many years to the service of the Lord.  (Luke 2:36-38)

Mother Teresa, she began serving the poor at the age of 18, first as a teacher, then on the streets of India and continued to serve until she died at the age of 87.

Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing her childhood memories when she was in her fifties and at the age of 64, her first children’s book, Little House in the Big Woods was published, followed by eight more books in the series.  Her books are still being read and loved throughout the world by children and adults.

The young age of 63 and this lady was part of my graduating class at Salem College and oh what a delight she was. She had been in education most of her life as a teacher assistant and she wanted something more. She wanted to become a teacher.

And there are so many more women of age…..

Every year that we are blessed with another birthday, it is another day of grace. Another opportunity to learn something new, serve Him, and serve others. To make a difference in someone’s life.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Each season in our lives is for a purpose, so let’s use the gift of age well. For as long as we have a heartbeat and breath to inhale, God has something for each of us to do. 

It is not too late.

Let us embrace our age. For it is a gracious gift from the Lord.