Outwardly Rusting…

 

High on the portion of the wall adjacent to the chimney of our neighbor’s home is a vent to the attic. The vent would hardly be noticeable, except for the old grate covering it. With the passing of years, snow and rain have caused the metal grate to rust, staining the light gray wall.

Since our homes are close together, that wall is the main view I have out the window above my desk in our spare bedroom. If I look upward past the rusty grate and beyond the peak of the roof, there is a patch of sky that is visible. Each morning after getting up, I go into that bedroom, raise the dilapidated venetian blinds over the window and spend time looking at the sky, reflecting on God’s greatness, His power and the beauty in His creation.

Several years ago, as I was looking out the window one morning, a slight movement caught my eye. That’s when I discovered that there was a secret behind the old grate. As I focused more intently on it, a small brown head popped out between the rusty slats, followed by a feathery body…a house sparrow!

What was the sparrow doing in that vent? In a few days the mystery was solved, as two little sparrows worked together flying back and forth to fetch pieces of dried grass and vegetation. They would perch on the ledge for a moment, looking around to make sure it was safe before disappearing into the dark hole in the wall.

While it didn’t seem an ideal place for a nest, it was a safe refuge, well hidden from view—that is from all but two! My husband Al was interested in watching them as well.

Once the eggs hatched, the parents were on a frantic search for food, with the babies making a ruckus whenever they arrived. It wasn’t long though before they were gone, and all was quiet again.

 Every spring since that first discovery, two sparrows have shown up to nest in the vent. The same couple? Most likely or maybe some of their offspring. This year was no different, except that I anticipated their coming and had an eye out for them.

Who would have thought that there would be new life hidden behind the grate, and that the discovery would provide so much enjoyment to a couple of retired teachers, well into their senior years and often stuck in the house due to inclement weather or health considerations?

Growing older is easy—it happens to everything and everyone here on earth! But the process of aging is challenging. My parents told us a funny story about reaching the age when they were eligible to receive a senior discount at their favorite restaurant.

They decided to take advantage of the discount one evening.  When a waitress whom they had befriended came to take their order, Dad disguised his usually boisterous voice and shakily ordered melba toast and warm milk from the menu! They all had a good laugh when she realized he was just kidding.

And Mom, bless her heart, once said with exasperation, “Why are these years called the Golden Years? They should be called, ‘The Rusty Years!’’’ It was funny then, but now I can surely relate.

Our bodies that started out fresh and new at birth, gradually deteriorate over time. The Apostle Paul described the aging process as “wasting away.” One close look in the mirror is proof enough!

It is hard not to get discouraged, wondering if it is possible to still be productive, to find fulfillment and joy in living as we grow older. However, our focus through faith in Christ Jesus, should be on the hope of one day receiving a new body, one that will not waste away, and of being together with the Lord forever.

In the meantime, God is working to renew and transform our hearts, getting us ready for that day!  Hidden within these old bodies is the hint of new life. Good news, dear friends. Good News!

 

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)