I always thought I would age gracefully. Nope. One glimpse at the first few wrinkles in the mirror and I knew I was going fighting, kicking and screaming all the way. It’s not exactly aging gracefully, is it, when you find yourself going through the mile-long counter of miracle wrinkle creams at the department store and you come home with one of each?

Sadly, it’s not been the most successful battle. Several vats of creams later, there are places on this face that don’t care that it was very expensive miracle cream. And it’s weird because some body parts seem to age faster than others. It’s like there are parts that age in dog years for some reason. I didn’t see that one coming. Age fights dirty.

The good news is that the age battle isn’t the important battle. When I finish this life, I want to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Not, “Wow, you look pretty good for an old gal.” I want to spend my time not just fighting, but fighting the “good” fight.

Paul was able to say in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

I want to put even more effort into loving and serving him and in anticipating his coming than I do fighting the aging body battle. I think I would look much better in the crown of righteousness Jesus loans me than I would in a well-preserved body anyway. I would rather be known as one who fought the good fight, and I truly want to fight that good fight all my years. Not just the doggy ones.

Rhonda Rhea rrhea@juno.com