Old man....

This morning I was reflecting on 
Getting old....   :(     

Besides the physical changes and challenges   
I was thinking about the change in outlook....     

Some get grouchy and ridged...    
Some soften and look at life through lenses that pick      
less battles 
and more grace.....   :)

Paul writes to his old friend Philemon
to ask him to accept back Onesimus, 
a runaway slave (who stole from him)
not as a slave
but a brother in Jesus....

As I read the letter I thought 
'there are lots of things
Paul isn't talking about....'
There are lots of things Paul could say that Onesimus
isn't doing well.....
isn't mature in...
hasn't got figured out....

but Paul calls on his old friend
to see Onesimus through different eyes
eyes that see what Jesus sees
a young man
who is forgiven.....
who needs someone to help him grow up...
who needs a second, and a third
and maybe a fourth chance....

Oh Lord,
as I get older
I want to soften and see
with the Grace you gave Paul

I want to be an
Encourager
One who sees the flicker of life
in the midst of the 'static'
and calls it out...
gently fans it to 
life

...that which You planned
since before time...

Yeah.

Thank You for beginning
to answer my prayer
today.

PJ