It’s been over six months since I last posted a journey, either a fishing trip or just a simple drive through nature. On this past July 21st I took a drive through Mt. Charleston to reset my mind on those things in my life that matter most to me: my relationships with our Lord, my wife, and our extended family.
The primary reason for the dearth of adventures has been my degrading physical capacities, in particular my balance and strength while walking. I understand aging and trust that the Lord still has plans for my life, but I confess I do not enjoy the aging process (does anyone?). Still, I need to continually honor Him, our Lord Jesus, the Christ. I draw on His love and power every day, and I witness Him where I can. I continue to do what my body allows me to, but it doesn’t seem near enough compared to a year or two ago.
So, I find myself reading scripture more often. Not because I need to remind myself that I am a child of God, adopted through the blood of Christ on the cross, but because the Word of God gives me peace and fortifies my desire to do what is mine to do at this stage of life. I have no choice but to accept this “crown of splendor.”
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31 (NIV)
Not only am I feeling old, but our family has also experienced some difficulties and relocations, which are not unusual nor unexpected given what we see in other large families. Three of our sons live out of town now. Since travel is more difficult for me, we don’t see each other as often as we used to. One of those sons recently had an accident while travelling abroad, and although he seems well on his path to a full recovery, the accident was extremely serious, more so than we would have liked. I remain forever thankful to friends and family that prayed alongside us during that time. Unfortunately, these and other lesser issues have strained family ties. Rather than succumbing to anxiety, or even depression, I needed a “reset” to remind myself that while I have been blessed throughout my life, our Lord still has plans for this old body, and that my elderly role is to continue reflecting the light of Christ to those who need to see it.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4
I would assume that most non-Southern Nevada readers are not aware of three amazing natural attractions well within an hour’s drive from Las Vegas. The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area are attached by virtue of the Spring Mountains Range. Both offer natural features one could find in southern Utah or even the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (but on a smaller scale of course). The lesser known Desert National Wildlife Refuge provides a much more rustic adventure along the old Mormon Well and Alamo roads, where amazing wildlife can be observed, especially the Desert Bighorn sheep (high clearance, four wheel drive recommended). Some of my blog readers might recall the Spring Mountains have two tiny creeks that contain self-supporting populations of Rainbow and Lahontan Cutthroat trout (search this blog for Cold Creek and Carpenter Creek). I didn’t discover all these treasures until I was in college at UNLV, when my high school friend, Kevin McGoohan, and I began to explore nature in southern Nevada.
So I admit it, I am slowing down as I approach my 70th birthday, but I continue to keep focused on the promises of our Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:16 to 5:5
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Being retired and physically infirm, I have been spending more time, quality time, reading scripture in my Bible and praying for my extended friends and family. For whatever time I have been granted here in my earthly body, I will do my best to remain the brother and patriarch who reflects the loving promises of God. I admit I did not understand that role when we began our family, but it is much clearer now. And as I finish out that role, I still hope to have a few more leisurely fishing excursions in my future. But the Lord has made it clear that they will be different, a little less adventurous.
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
Job 12:12 (NIV)
I leave you with the Lord’s “priestly blessing” that He gave to Moses in the book of Numbers 6:24-27:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
So they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
