I love watching small children play and interact. Don’t you? I love the wonder and unabashed joy in their faces over the smallest thing. When they discover something new, their excitement can reach the heavens.
Of course, there are the other aspects of childhood that are not so attractive. Children are often selfish and self-centered. They experience the highs, but also the lows in their moods. They can also be stubborn at times.
In my mind most of the time I identify myself as a child, not a retiree. I love play and enjoyment of life. However I also exhibit childish behavior far too frequently. I can be stubborn and selfish.
Why do I exhibit both sides of childhood characteristics at such an advanced age? In his great essay on love, the apostle Paul gives us a clue to help us in this area. I Corinthians 13:11-13 says, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now I see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. “
So I must put away childish things. But how? Paul suggests that I put away selfishness, stubbornness, and self-centeredness by putting on love. Love looks out for the interests of others, taking away selfishness. Love looks out for the good in others and to do good for others. Love reaches beyond ourselves to benefit others. I am asking God to help me love like He loves me.
Reluctant Retiree 