It’s often been said that “Age is mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” There is a great deal of truth in the saying, “You’re only as old as you feel.” To feel good most of the time is a blessing that many of us take for granted.

When it comes to the subject of old age, someone once said, “Old age is a club that, with luck, we all join.” I’m looking forward to it, aren’t you? You may respond by saying, “I’m already old.” This may be true in a chronological sense, because I know many people who read my column are elderly people. Did you notice how I switched terms? There is a difference in being elderly and being old.

This is to say, we get old when it comes to our thinking and our ideas. Another way of saying this is we are not very progressive. What prompted these thoughts is a poem I ran across the other day titled, “You Tell Me I’m Getting Old.” While reading this poem, I discovered it contained a profound message that I would like to share with you. It is my sincere hope it will be a source of great encouragement for you. 

You Tell Me I’m Getting Old

You tell me I’m getting old. I tell you that’s not so! The house I live in is worn out, and that of course I know. It’s been in use a long, long while; it’s weathered many a gale; I’m really not surprised you think it’s getting somewhat frail. The color’s changing on the roof, the window’s getting dim. The walls a bit transparent and looking rather thin. The foundation not so steady as once it used to be. My house is getting shaky, but my house isn’t me. My few short years can’t make me old. I feel in my youth, eternity lies ahead, a life of joy and truth. I’m going to live forever there; life will go on, it’s grand. You tell me I’m getting old, you just don’t understand. The dweller in my little house is young and bright and happy; just starting on a life to last throughout eternal day. You only see the outside, which is all that most folks see. You tell me I’m getting old, you have mixed my house with me. Dora Johnson
The message this poem contains is very clear. For Dora Johnson and those of us who have experienced the true gift of eternal salvation made possible through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, life will go on for eternity. While this is a very personal decision and is between you and our God, I care about you and where you will spend eternity. In reality, every book must have a final chapter, just as every person’s life will someday come to an end. To me, it would be tragic to pursue our goals in life and strive to become a success and then get to the final chapter only to discover that we had missed the whole point of life. Whether you are a religious person or not, physical death is something that sooner or later we must face. 

Even in spite of our many problems, we still have the best country in the history of the human race, and I am going to do all I can, in the time I have left, to insure a great future for our children and grandchildren.

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(Jim Davidson is an author, public speaker, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. Since its inception in the Log Cabin Democrat in 1995, Jim’s column has been self-syndicated in over 375 newspapers in 35 states. For a personalized copy of “Your Future Begins Today” send $20, which includes postage and handling, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)