I am about thirty or so years older than Danielle, but she has been my friend for seven years, and regularly checks in with me. She frequently asks me to ski or kayak with her. She is also forever asking me to take up whitewater kayaking...you know the kind where you roll in the water, and sometimes go upside down on the rocky river....
I tell her no. Friendship has its limits. I think she forgets I am old enough to be her mother. However, I would not have gone kayaking yesterday if she hadn't egged me on.
"Too cold for you to kayak?"
"Probably. Why? Are you going?"
"Yep."
I had a ton of work to do, but decided it had been ages since I'd seen Danielle, and I do love kayaking. I have been so busy with my books, I haven't kayaked in two months. So I met her at the river. She and her friend Ethan played in their crazy boats, turning upside down in the frigid water, while I sedately paddled in my nice, stable boat beside them.
It was the old gray mare with the skittery colts.
It is interesting that in this verse from Leviticus 19, honoring the aged, and showing respect for God are linked. The natural inclination of the young, is to find wisdom and truth in other youngsters. Now that I have the advantage of age, I realize what incredible folly that is. To ignore the wisdom of those who have earned every grey hair is foolish. And the wisdom this grey-haired-one has gained is that I have none, outside of what I know of God.
And that I would be foolish to try rolling in a kayak.
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Love it! Discretion is the better part of valor? And with wisdom comes understanding come to mind:) Celebrated my birthday with young people, and had a ball. My workspace is filled with people of all ages and it is awesome. Having my son later in life kept me young, and now being fully engaged in the workplace keeps me your as I interact and engage and learn from the younger generation. Thank you Vicky.
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