I'm Getting Old

I'm Getting Old
Friday, March 3, 2023 by Cindy K. Sproles

I’m getting old. Only yesterday, my children were running about the yard and playing. We raised four boys, and you know how that goes! What one doesn't think of, the other three do. Still, I went to bed, and it was the 1980s. I woke up, and it was 2023 – what? (Peace of Christ)

My boys are grown now. They're in their 40s. Ouch, it hurts to say that. One is a husband and daddy of two boys himself. I laugh and say, "Payback is hell!" He grins and agrees. Another was married on 02/22/22 – they decided it would be easier to remember as they aged. I had to agree. The third will marry this fall, and our disabled boy will always be with us. But my point is, I went to sleep and felt like Rip Van Winkle when I woke up. Where did the years go?

As I am well into my golden years, I look back over my writing career and realize, just from the pictures, the story of my life. When I started my writing career, I was that auburn redhead (my boys are too), then as the years passed, I let my hairdresser continue to add blonde streaks into the grey to help it not look so grey. When 2020 hit and covid-19 caged us all in our homes for a year, the grey caught up with me. I let the hairdresser trim the ends, slowly inching away my natural auburn and making its way to the edge of the grey. That lasted two years, and I finally said, "I'm too old and too busy to worry about this hair thing anymore. It is what it is. I'm getting older. Time to fess up." So, I took the plunge and let my gal just CUT IT.

Here's the hilarious thing. Folks start saying… "You look ten years younger!" Heck, what did I look like before? Just another of the humorous things that happen in my life. Still, along with grey hair comes the aches and pains of aging. Though I'm in good health outside of arthritis, I've had my scares. And that's what I want to talk about.

In 2020, my prince went through bladder cancer. It was a long road that ended in a huge surgery that would either take him or save him. Praise God, He heard the cries of His children as we prayed with fire, and He saved Tim.

Last month, Tim and I sat at the urologist's office, but this time for me. After fighting a kidney stone since August of 2022, the doctor informed me that I might also have bladder cancer. I think we were so stunned that neither could utter a word. I mean, seriously…what are the odds? But we waited another month for the test that would give us the diagnosis. Life sorta falls into slow motion.

My prayer became, Lord, I just need to understand. I accept Your will, but until Your will manifests, I pray with fire for mercy, favor, and healing. During this month, I called my five faithful prayer warriors and asked them to pray privately. We needed to protect Chase from this news until necessary. Once again, we called on the Holy Spirit and His power to lift this plea before the Father. The conference I directed fell on the weekend before my test, and after the conference, I reached out to my faculty and laid this at their feet. Again, God's people prayed with fire.

And here is the wonderful thing about God's people – on the day of my test, email and text after email and text hit my phone with notes of how they were praying for me. I walked into that appointment filled with warmth and strength.

After the test, the doctor smiled and said, "Clean as a whistle." Then I burst into tears. I guess for three reasons. 1) relief. 2) the faithfulness of God. 3) the love of God's people to pray.

I get "growing older," and honestly, I don't fear death. I mourn my family. But then, isn't that the scary part – of death and dying – leaving our loved ones behind?

My photos show the progression of my writing life, and they show the progression of my age. Still, I look over them and thank God that He has seen fit to bless me in so many ways. Good friends, a wonderful family, to be a published author, tell stories, teach, lead, and show how much I love Him. And I am grateful. Do I want to die? Not anytime soon, but am I ready? Absolutely. How blessed are we to be called God's children?

For now, God has gifted me with life. I lift my hands toward the heavens and sing praises. I will continue to worship, praise, and work for the kingdom through my writing. And I will do my best to let Him shine through me.

I asked my friend Billy Wayne to teach a lyrics class at our conference. We bantered back and forth, and I sent him a few lines (I told him I couldn’t rhyme a poem in a box of bells). He took my lines and wrote music, then surprised me. A conferee recorded it, but she missed the first two lines. Still…you get the gist of how God turned my words back to me for comfort. God is good all the time. All the time, God is good. Thank you, Billy Wayne, for the best surprise gift ever. Guess lyrics don’t have to rhyme.

PEACE OF CHRIST

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Comments

Jonna Marsh From Wattsville, Alabama At 1/19/2024 11:03:19 PM

Could you post the lyrics? I having hearing loss and couldn't understand some of it. Thanks!

Barb suiter From Lawrenceburg tn At 3/8/2023 8:00:51 AM

Thank you, Cindy for your words here, your honesty and the pictures of your life. Thank you sincerely for believing in me first.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Awww...I still believe in you.

Michael Richard From At 3/6/2023 6:54:13 PM

Cindy, Really enjoyed your post! The song was uplifting as well. Blessings, Michael

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Thank you.

Melody From Mooresville At 3/6/2023 2:42:42 PM

Can you print the first two lines? Loved it in Asheville. Loved it again. Brought me to tears both times. Thank you for the depth or your sharing.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Thanks so much. I was so surprised Billy Wayne set my lyrics to music.

Georgie Davis From Waynesville At 3/5/2023 7:12:24 AM

Cindy, I read your post. So glad you got a clean bill of health. I was at the Asheville conference, and I truly enjoyed it. Thanks for all you did to make it happen. Blessings and yes, Peace of Christ.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. COME BACK!

Debbie Williams From Flat Rock NC At 3/4/2023 9:10:06 PM

I totally get it—3 sons in 40s—baby brother just turned 32. I blinked and they’re grown. I have about a decade on you. I had no clue when I sent you the song—Gaelic Blessing—but God knew!! Deep Peace of Christ! Blessings! Debbie

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

It was beautiful. Thank you.

Nancy Williams From Johnson City At 3/4/2023 2:42:20 PM

Wait, it's not the 80s? But I still have the clothes! Except for platform shoes...they disappeared along the way. Ditto on the blonde streaks...ditched them for all-out grey during the pandemic. Now I look like my grandmother. Am praising God for keeping you in good health...me too. Blessings!

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

LOL. I'm with ya sista.

MICHAEL Richard From At 3/4/2023 1:54:30 PM

Wonderfully written and sung!

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Thanks.

Vickie Wilson From Kingsport Tn At 3/4/2023 1:40:35 PM

Most excellent as always. ??

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Awwww. Thanks.

Julie Bonn Blank From OR At 3/4/2023 11:48:37 AM

God bless you, Cindy! You look amazing! So grateful to our Lord for the good news re your medical issues and continued prayers for health for your entire family.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Pray with fire. God listens. Thank you.

Theresa Parker Pierc From North Carolina At 3/4/2023 10:43:28 AM

I read every word through tear-filled eyes. Praise God for your miracle. Absolutely, I tell young mothers, "don't blink." Kids grow up while you are cutting up their food and washing their mounds of laundry. The song is beautiful and the story behind it makes it even better.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

A day at a time, right?

Jan Loyd From Dayton At 3/4/2023 8:54:30 AM

Dear Cindy, thank you for sharing this. I had no idea what you were going through…but God did and you were His amazing vessel at the conference. Prayers for rest, dear sister. Jan PS Love you new “headshot.”

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

A GREY HEADSHOT!

Linda Rondeau From MD At 3/4/2023 7:39:46 AM

Thanks for reminding us. He is with us from cradle to the grave ... even in our old age he does not abandon us. Though the world may see us as weak and feeble, God still sees us as the babe in his arms.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

Awww, that is so beautiful. Thanks.

Sandra Chambers From NC At 3/4/2023 6:46:10 AM

I totally understand! I’m aware That I’m growing old for several years. But then it’s like you say, one day you wake up and you realize YOU ARE OLD! Thanks for sharing!