Chris McDonnell: Changing Years

Each passing year brings change. Moving from the early days of infancy to our arrival at a time of old age we are in a culture of altered circumstance, little remains the same. From the buzz and excitement of our early years, through school attendance and on into the teenage times, the web of our experience grows and we have to constantly adjust our position.

We do so often by testing the patience of those around us be they parents or teachers or others of comparable age to ourselves and slowly we have our views shaped and our opinions formed. Often the taunt thrown at us by others regarding our ‘immaturity’ fails to realize it is all part of our common journey.

We move, step by step, exploring the pathways that are available to us, making decisions on our own account, both small and great.

Those that have nurtured us have gradually to relax controlling voices, allowing us to make our own mistakes and, hopefully to learn from our fractured days and ways. The experience of middle teenage years adds to the totality of who we are and whom we are becoming.

But parents don’t give up and having withdrawn into the background, they hang around to pick up the pieces, ever attentive to family needs, ever willing to repair what is broken.

And so, one generation merges with the next generation, dark hair of youth turns grey and then white. Once full and upright shoulders stoop now over the tapping of a walking stick and feet shuffle rather than stride. Slowness of response sets in and greater time is required for simple actions. Others who walk with us have their tolerance tested in these passing years.

Just as we physically change with the passing years, so too does our faith. Simplicity of childhood faith has been tested by the reality of life’s experiences. The simple answer YES or NO will no longer satisfy a question simply put as we confront the many shadows that hover between sharpened clear-cut boundaries.

And yet we are urged to have a child-like faith, even in older age. Maybe that faith in the Lord doesn’t mean having all the answers ready to match the myriad of questions that arise. I have always told my grandchildren they can ask me anything but not always to expect an off the shelf answer. Gradually they have become used to the grey tones. Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth reminds us of that story.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”