Ninety-Six Years Old

Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away… (Psalm 90:10)

How true. My Gram is 96 years old today. Her oldest son died last month, following after her husband of sixty some years, and her only daughter. Then she received a call saying that her youngest and only-surviving son had a stroke and a severe seizure; he probably won’t live much longer.

Relent, LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants… (Psalm 90:13)

Gram can’t imagine for what purpose God keeps her here while her family flies one by one to heaven. “I am old; what purpose could God have for me anymore?” I weep for her loss.

What words can I write to comfort? To explain? Maybe Hebrews 12:1-2 -
let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Don’t lose heart, Gram. Jesus loves you – he died to take away your sins and make you right with God. Because of Jesus, we can live forever with God.

Even were I 96 years old and deprived of husband and children, I might not fully grasp the loss my Gram must feel. But God knows everything about each one of us -

You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways…

Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be… (Psalm 139)

And He has promised us –

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)