“Wisdom comes from the blessing of a long life." ~ Job 12:12
As a much younger man, Matt drove his parent’s ‘66, a Ford
Mustang affectionately named Annie. The vehicle of choice for many young
drivers in the 60s came in a variety of colors, engines, and transmissions. But
Matt loved the yellow, inline 6, 200 cu in, automatic he got to drive.
Today, it's not a
rust-bucket. That would require structural integrity. It’s been devolving since
the late 90s, except for the spiders and rodents gnawing on what little
upholstery remains.
An even coat of rust covers most of her body with only a
few yellow spray cans having attempted to hide it. Annie’s been rotting long
enough that the weeds underneath her have accepted the car as one of their own.
Friends tease that they’ve spotted buzzards circling the old gal.
His friend’s Dad, a mechanic, kept the car going for years
longer than it should have lasted. As soon as he fixed one problem, something
else would break down. He grumbled each time he worked on her. Still, the junker
was all he could afford at the time, so Matt kept praying that Annie would hang
on for a few more miles.
Finally, one morning he fired her up, put Annie in gear,
and the transmission ground pointlessly without engaging. The time had finally come
for her peaceful death. He opened the door and sat for a few moments grieving
the loss of a beloved companion.
Matt tilted back in a
seat that felt like a warm hug, dreaming for Annie to launch him on one last thrill
ride. The power he imagined coming through the steering wheel brought memories
of a raging bull breaking away screaming and ripping for freedom.
Joyful memories unfolded
like the pages of a beloved storybook. He starting to have the same feelings
about his own body.
Matt felt like a young
soul driving an aging clunker. His back hurts daily. His five senses, memory,
and energy are no longer as keen as they used to be. Although doing his best to
eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep to slow the decay, he gets a little
older every passing day.
Then Matt resets his mood
for sunnier days ahead. In the end, he knew our bodies aren’t who we are, but temples
of the Holy Spirit stewarding the earthly tent the Lord has given us. We are
Children of God put here to live, learn, and love. And when it finally breaks
down for good, we’ll happily let it go and return Home again.
Father God, help us realize that aging
brings greater joy for those who are in Christ. Guide us in fleeing the temptations
of worldliness, choosing instead to do what honors and glorifies You. Amen
