What’s still working?

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This blog is part of an ongoing series that answers an intriguing question: What might it mean for older adults to claim that they are still “fearfully and wonderfully made?”

It’s fairly easy to look at your body—and brain—and see what’s NOT working so well. (If you need help there, just turn on the TV and watch commercials that can inform you about infirmities that you didn’t know existed.)

With a little effort, you could try the opposite: Looking at your obviously older body and brain, counting all the parts of you that may still work well. These ideas work for me; see if they make sense to you:

• Because I don’t rush around as much, I don’t make as many mistakes in judgment about people or situations.
• I’m rediscovering the good feelings that come from putting my hands in dirt.
• I don’t have that many places where I’m supposed to be, so I can spend more time looking outside my windows—and being amazed at what I see.
• As I type here, my fingers are more assured about what to do and where to go.
• I’m a better, safer driver now than I was at 18!
• I enjoy the fact that my basic bodily systems—breathing, moving, circulating blood, digesting food, sleeping—seem to be holding their own, in spite of some obvious complications now and then.
• My smile still works well—those wrinkles actually help!—so I am still attention-worthy when I beam, grin or chortle.
• I can still exercise in an efficient way—lifting weights, squatting, flexing tendons and muscles, walking, balancing—so that my muscle tone is actually better than when I was younger.

Try making your own list, so that you can start to appreciate how God is still creating and sustaining what’s fearful and wonderful about your brain and body. When you get enough items on the list, take some time to be thankful, amazed and satisfied.

And stop watching those commercials….

 

 

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About the author

Bob Sitze

BOB SITZE has filled the many years of his lifework in diverse settings around the United States. His calling has included careers as a teacher/principal, church musician, writer/author, denominational executive staff member and meat worker. Bob lives in Wheaton, IL.

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By Bob Sitze

Bob Sitze

BOB SITZE has filled the many years of his lifework in diverse settings around the United States. His calling has included careers as a teacher/principal, church musician, writer/author, denominational executive staff member and meat worker. Bob lives in Wheaton, IL.

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