Old age is not just about hanging on to youth by running marathons or taking up zip lining.  Old age eventually is about dying to self like Jesus did. 

Jesus had to let go of: his gifts, his power, his ministry, his image, his importance, the expectations of others, the support and understanding of his closest friends, his freedom, his full potential, freedom from physical pain, any hope of protecting those he loved from suffering, his sense of God’s presence, and even his right to judge those that tortured and killed him.

Most of us in our eighties spend a lot of time and energy fighting the inevitable and whining when we fail.  And when sleepless nights bring us awareness of our shortcomings, we find comfort in judging others.

What does acceptance look like?  What kind of grace does it take?  What helps us let go at each stage of dying to self? 

I’m struggling with this now. I still haven’t let go of Julian. And though I died to many illusions about myself some time ago, but I’m still clinging to the hope that if I’m stuck here alone, then writing and sharing my journey is still a part of God’s plan for me.                             

 Anyone else currently having to let go?  How does grace come for you? When I’m open, it can come in amazingly different ways other than scripture, such as a sentence that someone says or I read on line or hear in a pod cast, or song, or  TV show.  God is sneaky that way! Thanks be!