“I have been young and now I am old…” (Psalm 37:25 NASB)
Ever since I was actually able to listen to the prayers of church folks; old enough to move from the simple bowing of my head and the rapid release of an “Amen” as I joined the chorus of others in the church who had apparently felt that the person praying had prayed long enough (as if there is such a thing); ever since then I have heard the following phrase incorporated, “And thank you for my reasonable portion of health and strength.”
For years, as a young child I thought adults were just glad to be alive or as one person said, “Glad to be on this side of the ground.” Now I know different! As David started out the verse above, “I have been young and now I am old,” I can start out a testimony of my own. I once was young, but now I’m old and I know what that reasonable portion of health and strength refers to in most cases. I may have to take a few pills daily, but I am thankful that my body is strong enough to be in service for the Lord. I may have aches and pains and I finally know about arthritis, but I am grateful for the strength that keeps me keeping on, doing kingdom building work. And kingdom building work includes what one does in their home and how one behaves in the presence of others everywhere and not just in the church. Oh, I’m thankful that my cognitive ability is still relatively strong! And, while I may not be able to go full speed all day, thank God for the health and strength He has blessed me with so far. Thank God for being able to know it is right to thank Him for that reasonable portion of health and strength that I heard so much about when I was young and paid the phrase little attention.
Let me tell you something, with every year, as we experience the aging process, something no one can escape, the meaning of “that reasonable portion of health and strength” will take on a new meaning. Your expressions of thanksgiving will take on a new connotation with the passing of time. Maybe you are one of the few people who see old alumni and you feel you are the only one who still looks the same. Maybe you are blessed that way. But…I said “but”… time will make you aware of a need to give thanks to God for that reasonable portion of health and strength. Let me add some good news. There will be times that the Lord blesses you to function as if you had no aches and pains; never had a “can’t remember moment,” and times when your strength will be taken to an unexpected height; so high that it surprises you. Well, definitely when that happens, reach inside your being and pull out your thanksgiving for that reasonable portion of health and strength.
If you got up this morning with a headache, a backache, a little heartache; if you were sluggish or slow moving this morning and needed a stimulating pick me up. Don’t grab the energy drink first! Don’t drink the coffee first! Even if you are in the hospital, unless it’s an emergency, don’t push the “Call nurse button,” but rather thank the Lord first today! Thank Him, yes, for that reasonable portion of health and strength and pray that the next day He will bless you with another reasonable portion. You will find out that looking up with thanksgiving will be your pick me up and this day will be better! Have a great Monday my friend! Be blessed! “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:18 NASB) Still committed to the climb, Mark L. King