4:21 p.m. Today's project was to get measured for a pair of prescription sunglasses and a pair of "stylish" indoor glasses. I've been a contact lens wearer for 43 years, but like many of my generation, I'm beginning to acknowledge the progressive dryness of my eyes and remembering the ease of wearing glasses. Also, in an emergency or for a hospital stay, glasses can be grabbed off a nightstand pretty quickly! As for the beach, I always enjoyed the convenience of prescription sunglasses over the worry of sand getting into my eyes under my contacts--a real experience of pain, in case you aren't aware!
My current glasses and Rx sunglasses are years old and made of heavy glass. They aren't bifocal, either--but I didn't need help for farsightedness at that time. We have many uncertainties in life, but getting old isn't one of them! "The hoary head is a crown of wisdom," Proverbs 16:21 says, and it is a blessing to look back on life experiences and be consulted by younger folks. There are undeniable physical inconveniences and some internal systems that go haywire or function slowly, but overall, I'm glad to be the age I am, and consider it a privilege to have seen the changes in society over the last 58 years. "It's heck getting old," my late mother-in-law used to say in her late 80's. But as a Christian, she set a great example of cheerfulness, prayerfulness, and encouragement for all of us. That's the kind of "old lady" I hope to be, by the grace of God!
One cool aspect of getting older for today's seniors is taking advantage of new inventions in technology. Just today as I put some waxed paper in my microwave to cover some eggs, I saw the oxymoron: we had no Saran wrap for our food covering, or baqggies for sandwiches in our pack lunches. And my father was employed by Litton Industries in the 1960's when they invented the microwave oven--they had one in their lunchroom. The public didn't have them until maybe 1975 or so. Later I added some fun to my day by using my Verizon upgrade to get a phone with a keyboard and data usage, and a camera I can plug right into my computer and post pictures on FB or use to illustrate my blog! "Witty inventions" spoken of in Proverbs 8:12 perfectly characterize our lives today--may we be wise in our use of them.
Some inventions, such as television and the Internet, have caused an explosion in the spread of the gospel in our generation. Jesus spoke of the last days to the disciples, and His return, saying, in Mark 13:10, "the gospel must first be published among all nations." So we live in exciting times, because Jesus could call us home at any time, and then will begin the cataclysmic events that presage His return!
For every helpful invention, the enemy of mankind, the devil, can find a perverted use to draw any unguarded soul into degradation, like online pornography and "gaming" that have both destroyed famillies. God not only sees, He hears, rescues and heals, as thousands have testified. He redeems tragedy as well, as He promised in Psalm 103:4-6. God is the only One...
Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns your life with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles's. The LORD executes righteousness and judgment for all who are oppressed.
As important as it is for me to see well with the latest technology, I pray that the One who sees ("El-roi") would grant me His spiritual eyes, to discern right from wrong and to act accordingly!
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