RBWords

     There are times when the Bible may be unintentionally funny.  Moses' statement, I am now one hundred and twenty years old and am no longer able to move about freely strikes me as one big understatement!  Most of us slow down considerably at least forty years before he did!  I know, at 76,  I am beginning to do so!  I keep in mind a statement of Jesus in the Gospel According to John : Amen, amen,I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.  [John 21:18]  It is the second part of Moses' statement that is poignant.

     Moses realizes that after all his efforts and trials, he will not live to see the completion of the task of leading the Children of Israel into the "promised land."  He will not cross the Jordan.  He has to turn over the leadership to Joshua.  Many of us experience the realization that those whom we love and have helped to grow will take over and continue (or not) what we have given our own lives to achieving.  Parents hope to see grandchildren and grandparents hope to live to see great grandchildren.  But there are no guarantees.  God may tell us when to finally let go.  In the meantime, however, we continue to contribute to the growth and future.  I experience this in the students here at Texas Tech.  I see it in the grandchildren I baptize of former student parishioners!  One hundred and twenty years is a bit much to expect, but I hope I can be as accepting and grateful as Moses was when the time comes to let go.  AMEN