Ages of Life

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; Philippians 4:11-13

Isla smiled as she looked at her baby brother still asleep in his crib. Emmett is really cute, but I’m so glad I’m not a baby. All he does is eat and sleep. How boring!

At the breakfast table, Isla watched Mom butter toast and pour coffee. Mom’s life looks boring too, Isla thought. She’s always cooking, cleaning, and giving me my schoolwork. Doesn’t she ever wish she could be a kid again?

Dad glanced at the clock. “I’d better go. Traffic is always heavy on Monday.”

Isla thought about her father’s life. Every morning Dad drives to the office and spends the day doing whatever he does there. The next day, he does it all over again. If that’s what my life will be like someday, I’m not sure I ever want to grow up!

After Dad left, Mom said, “It’s time for your lessons, Isla, so let’s go over our verse for today and then we’ll start on fractions.” She opened her Bible. “Our verse is First Corinthians 13:11. It says, ‘When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.’ What do you think that verse means?”

Isla thought for a moment. “I guess it means that kids and grownups don’t do the same things or even think the same way.”

“That’s true,” said Mom. “When we’re young, we’re focused on learning new things and having fun. As we age, there are more responsibilities and different kinds of fun.”

“Yeah—you and Dad think gardening is fun, but I don’t!” Isla made a face, and Mom laughed.

“The point is that even though our lives change as we get older and we face new challenges, we can be content at any age because of the hope we have in Jesus. The struggles we face in life are temporary, because one day Jesus will make everything new and we’ll spend eternity with Him—and that will be more amazing than anything we can comprehend now. The important thing is to enjoy what God has put in our lives now and trust Him when things change later on.”

Isla nodded and grinned, realizing her parents didn’t think their lives were so boring after all. She reached for another book. “Ready to teach me fractions, Mom? I’m ready to learn.”

– Phyllis I. Klomparens

How About You?

Are you afraid to grow up because you don’t think life will be fun anymore? Or maybe you can’t wait to grow up so you can do things you can’t do now. Each stage of life has its own perks and challenges, but you can be content no matter how old you are. Trust Jesus to help you learn and grow throughout the stages of your life, and enjoy the blessings He has for you in each one.

Today’s Key Verse: Philippians 4:11 I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Be content at any age