Jon just asked me an interesting question.
Why are the "golden" years so tarnished?
I'm glad he did. When I worked at for company that made all kinds of valves and machined parts for submarines, aircraft, etc., I learned a lot about the finishes that are put on these parts that were unbelievably hard. It was amazing. These finishes might be very shiny or very dull, looking like some kind of oxidation or tarnish. Their hardness was achieved by different processes but achieved a hardness that would protect the part so that it could safely function and hold up under terrific punishment without giving out. It would provide safety and reliability for those depending on it.
And so is life. The experiences we have here may give us wrinkles, gray . . oops, I mean white hair (I refuse to be a gray hair), saggy bodies and faces. The muscle tone may go, the memory may turn into a bunch of disorganized files to be thumbed through often, and sentimentality becomes a chronic condition. Oxidation may hurt, but it can also serve many good purposes. It can be the catalyst that strengthens important bonds, builds a testimony of the gospel and of God's love as He allows us to make decisions and deal with the consequences. He gives us the free agency to choose our paths. He doesn't pull strings to handle us like puppets and control our lives. He does promise us to always be there, no matter what; though he does often wait for us to go to Him so that we will listen with a more open heart and mind. These times in our lives can show us who really is a true friend, who we can really trust. It can test us and show us what we have learned in life and what lessons still need to be learned.
Guess I will take the tarnish, the white hair, the wrinkles, sags and bags and all of those other signs of someone who has lived, really lived. They are blessings.
Why are the "golden" years so tarnished?
I'm glad he did. When I worked at for company that made all kinds of valves and machined parts for submarines, aircraft, etc., I learned a lot about the finishes that are put on these parts that were unbelievably hard. It was amazing. These finishes might be very shiny or very dull, looking like some kind of oxidation or tarnish. Their hardness was achieved by different processes but achieved a hardness that would protect the part so that it could safely function and hold up under terrific punishment without giving out. It would provide safety and reliability for those depending on it.
And so is life. The experiences we have here may give us wrinkles, gray . . oops, I mean white hair (I refuse to be a gray hair), saggy bodies and faces. The muscle tone may go, the memory may turn into a bunch of disorganized files to be thumbed through often, and sentimentality becomes a chronic condition. Oxidation may hurt, but it can also serve many good purposes. It can be the catalyst that strengthens important bonds, builds a testimony of the gospel and of God's love as He allows us to make decisions and deal with the consequences. He gives us the free agency to choose our paths. He doesn't pull strings to handle us like puppets and control our lives. He does promise us to always be there, no matter what; though he does often wait for us to go to Him so that we will listen with a more open heart and mind. These times in our lives can show us who really is a true friend, who we can really trust. It can test us and show us what we have learned in life and what lessons still need to be learned.
Guess I will take the tarnish, the white hair, the wrinkles, sags and bags and all of those other signs of someone who has lived, really lived. They are blessings.
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