Those of us of a certain age can relate to my friend and fellow author Kim Henry as she shares her thoughts on aging. Enjoy her post and be sure to check out the link to the introduction to her new book Do I Still Matter, Secrets of Aging with Faith and Purpose.

I didn’t want her to believe me.

Having just turned fifty-five years old, I was now eligible for an “age fifty-five-plus” discount. I felt certain that when I requested it, the cashier would look aghast and exclaim, “You couldn’t possibly be that old! May I see your ID?” But no, she merely said, “Okay, that’ll be $23.15 then.”

“Don’t you want to see some ID?”

“No.” She bagged my purchase. “No one’s going to claim to be a senior citizen if they’re not.”

She had a point there. Still, the experience left my confidence shaken. Was I really a senior citizen? Was this the beginning of the end? No, but it was a beginning, the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one that was going to take some getting used to.

Fast Forward

Fast (startlingly fast) forward. Years have passed, and I look back on that “am I really a senior citizen?” moment and laugh. Fifty-five had felt so old. It now sounds young. Yes, “senior citizen” status took getting used to. I balked and bucked for a while, like a horse getting used to a saddle. And yes, it has been and still is quite a ride. But I’m more comfortable in it now.

I no longer bristle at the thought that I don’t have the energy level of my children and grandchildren. I’m (almost) getting used to the fact that my face and body aren’t the same as they used to be. I’ve learned to appreciate and enjoy the wisdom, luxuries of time, and other bonuses being a “senior” brings. My questions of whether I still matter have been answered. I do! And in many ways. Not exactly the same ones as when I was younger, but beautiful, valuable, and significant nonetheless.

The senior chapter in life has two paths from which to choose. Satan’s path is wide open and easily accessible. But it is a way of discouragement, sadness, lamenting, and languishing. God’s path is one of joy, adventure, and flourishing. Thankfully, as Christians, we can readily walk that path by faith, fulfilling God’s purpose for us and discovering the secrets to a life stage of opportunities and delights. The goal is to internalize and live those secrets. **

Do I Still Matter?

Debbie graciously offered me the opportunity to tell you about my newest book, which I wrote for those who, like me, have completed their child-rearing and/or career years and whose long-held roles in life have changed. We do not have major life issues but are trying to determine where and how we fit in now and how to use our free time, a luxury we have not always had!

I have experienced the fears, doubts, and insecurities which creep in as the years progress. We’re used to feeling needed and valued, but, in these transition years, we may fear our value is decreasing or disappearing. We may perceive that we are seen as “old,” and we’re not ready for that. We want to continue to live a fulfilling life, and, most important, to know we still matter. I encourage all of us in these transition years to choose God’s way, not Satan’s way, and to know with certainty why and how we still matter greatly.

Do I Still Matter? examines the unfamiliar terrain that comes with passing years, explores God-centered answers to our life questions, and encourages us to recognize and appreciate the abundant gifts our new life stage offers, find practical ways to become our best self and to fill our new life roles, as well as how to utilize our time in satisfying and God-honoring ways. It provides reassurance you are not alone in your feelings and concerns and offers specific things to do to live this time of life to its fullest. You will be equipped to boldly exclaim “Yes! I still matter!”

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to stop focusing on what we no longer have, can no longer do, and how we no longer look, and to instead thank God for all we have, can do, and those physical aspects that are still pretty darn good! We can remind ourselves to follow Philippians 4:8.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

We can pray Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (ESV).

Bio

Kim Taylor Henry is a retired litigation attorney turned author. Her first book, Making God Smile, was published in 2018. Since 2015, she’s written for the annual devotional Daily Guideposts (now Walking in Grace) and multiple other Guideposts books. Mother of three,  grandmother of ten, she lives with her husband in Colorado.

**Read an excerpt from Do I Still Matter, Secrets of Aging with Faith and Purpose. Available at Amazon, ourdailybread.org, and wherever Christian books are sold. See her website at kimtaylorhenry.com for additional information and to read more excerpts.

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Blessings,

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