“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32
“Even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save.” Isaiah 46:4
“Wisdom is with the aged,
and understanding in length of days.” Job 12:12
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Psalm 92:12-15
“Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.”
“The splendor of old men is their gray hair.” Proverbs 16:31; 20:29
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Wrinkles of milk and grey give texture to an otherwise smooth sky, adding distinguishing beauty and depth. Smooth and clear is… smooth and clear, but the shadowed wrinkles enrich the palette of blue, capture the senses, suggest a story, leave an impression. Only the Creator’s fingers could scratch and streak in such exquisite design. Indeed, it takes years and age to appreciate God’s signature in the distinct beauty of His long-faithful hand.
And so works the Lord in the wrinkles of our lives. Each bump and streak and smudge tells a story of love known, pain suffered, ecstasy enjoyed. Whether etched in our faces or grooved into circumstances, the textures and contours of our every day are designed and applied lovingly by the Almighty, intending to display His glory in the countenance or responses that reflect it.
In some places and cultures, it is anathema to appear to be aging, as though this natural process can be arrested, and as though there is no benefit or blessing in having endured much and proven God faithful. The Scriptures teach an honoring of old age, and a proper desire for the wisdom, understanding, and steady fruitfulness it affords. Societies are enriched by the investment in and of the aged, by their experiences and lessons that add perspective and hope.
What if I cared less about the wrinkles on my body and focused more on tracing how the Lord has carried, led, protected, and kept me over the years? What permanent impressions has God made in my way of dealing with people and hard situations? What smile lines do I carry that reflect joyful gratitude and love?
What am I doing today that will contribute to long life and the wrinkles it brings? How can I make the most of my days and years, adding to wisdom, passing along peace and lessons learned, and celebrating God’s deep faithfulness experienced over long seasons? (Proverbs 3:1-2)
Lord God, help me welcome life’s wrinkles as Your gifts etched with love and indelible reminders of Your steadfast faithfulness.
As the rain and snow 