They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be...(Psalm 92)

Chronologically, I have moved from elderly to old,
I’m a participant in the process of aging and dying.
I can go kicking and screaming or I can be bold-
Not be a Sadducee, but choose to be a believer in the God of the living.

From childhood, I learn God wants us to share in His life-
To be His hands, His feet, upon His created earth:
By spreading loudly His message through our acts, like drum and fife.
Yes, Lord, on your boat, I want a berth.

To board the ark of your will, I have wisdom as my guide;
Giving me strength as I steer my broken, sinful oars,
Storing below deck my strong sense of pride;
As together we’ll sail toward your far distant shores.

My eyes, like Tobit, may be clouded with cataracts,
Unable to see clearly the joy of sunlight upon the world;
Grateful, Your covenant to man is firm as is all your acts
To those of us who belong to your worldwide, everlasting fold.

Deep inside, within my soul, a voice sounds in my ears:
“This is the way; walk in it.”
“My church shall shelter you in your fears.
Suffering may come, but heaven is there, after a bit.”

Our final end: our resurrected self, our goal is in sight.
To see your glory shine as we meet face to face
Is worth all pain we have shouldered in our lifelong fight.
So Lord, please, you set the pace.