The wrinkles on her face tell the story of being a hard-working farm wife. The slower steps tell the story of a farmer who has spent his whole life working hard and is now experiencing the affects of hard work in his life. Their hair is filtered with white and grey that tells the story of their age. These two dear souls are my grandma and grandpa.
I spent some time with them and my aunt a few weeks ago. They were visiting and attending a big annual event here in town. Grandma walked around with a cane while Grandpa sat in a wheelchair. As we took time enjoying the music and visiting the vendors, it reminded me of how important grace is in our lives especially as we age. It is important for us to age gracefully or rather to age with grace.
I was rather disappointed as my aunt, grandparents, and I were walking around the venue. Some people were not very gracious of wheelchairs. They saw us as a hindrance and did not offer grace to us which made my aunt and I very frustrated and sad. Despite some people not offering us grace, there were some who very readily gave God’s grace to us. They would help move chairs out of the way. They would ask others to move out of the way so we could pass by them.
Throughout my life, my grandparents have taught me what grace looks like. Last week, my other aunt posted a picture of my Grandpa and their new puppy. That picture brings me so much joy because it embodies so much of my Grandpa’s personality. But also as I look at that picture, I see God’s grace as it has covered my family throughout their lives. God gave grace to our family as we planted and harvested our fields. God gave grace (and continues to give grace) to my grandparents throughout their 60 plus years of marriage.
As I age, I want to age gracefully or rather age with grace too. I want the lines under my eyes to show the imprint of the tears I have cried. I want the wrinkles to remind me of the life I have lived. And as the white and grey hairs appear on my head, I don’t even want to care. I simply want to show God’s grace as we each age gracefully trusting that we are always “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Like my grandparents, I want to age with grace too!
Tara, I'm a fellow #Write31Days friend! I love how you give so much dignity to the aging process and bring attention to the beauty in growing older. I feel calmer just from reading it, actually. Thank you for painting this picture for me and giving me a chance to breathe. Blessings on you as you write and share your heart! Leslie
Leslie, thank you so much for your kind words and saying that they gave you a chance to breathe. Blessings to you as well.
love, love, LOVE! hugs!
Thank You! Hugs to you too!
Beautiful! My dad, who is 94, epitomizes living a life that is grace-filled and one that shares grace with others. He is an amazing man as I imagine your grandparents are too. Blessings!
Thanks Mary! Your dad seems like an amazing man too! Blessings friend!
It warms me to know you love and honor your grandparents!!!
Awww! Thanks!
We've had my m-i-l near us for 7 years, with us for the last two. Though it hasn't been the easiest of seasons, she has been an example to me of aging with grace, of keeping an upbeat spirit as her body has been slowly failing her. When we had to move five years ago, taking her with us, we thanked her for taking it so well and having such a good attitude about it. She said, "Well it doesn't do any good to have the other kind." 🙂
Your m-i-l is a smart woman!
I popped over from 31 days and I am glad I did ! This is a beautiful reminder of grace at all times and in all places.
Thanks Shona!
I'm so glad that you spent time with your grandparents! I don't think I valued mine enough while they were still around to enjoy. I have decided to enter old age with no pretenses (and grey is the new blonde, right?).
Anita, grey as the new blonde…I like it! 🙂 And I have really come to appreciate my grandparents more and more as I have grown up. My Mom's parents have been gone for awhile now. I miss them daily.
Hello again! We seem to be following each other this week on the linkups! I love that you are still able to spend precious time with your grandparents! You will treasure these memories for years and years. Thank you for sharing your story! Joining you from Testimony Tuesday, and I hopped over to this post, since I had read your link up post 🙂
Ellen, thank you for stopping by this post too. We are indeed following each other on a few linkups. I indeed will treasure these memories for years to come.
Lovely, and I think aging with grace is something that will show God's grace to others too.
Thanks Sandra! And yes!