“When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come and meaningless.” – Ecclesiastes 11:8 NLT
Praise God for another opportunity to share this passage with all of you. When I read this verse, how blessed we are that God gave us life, but the question is until when? How do we do it? Are we rejoicing every day?
I’ll be sharing today about my grandparents, particularly my lolas. The mother of my lolo Jose, lola Agripina, lived for 105 years. Lola Maria, the mother of my father, who lived for 100 years, recently died. Lola Potenciana, the mother of my mama, lived for 95 years. Lola Lourdes, the aunt of my papa, lived for 85 years.
All of them passed away already. They were close to me because most of them took care of me during my childhood, especially my lola Maria. I grew up with them at the farm. Every time I remember them, I cannot control myself to think if I am going to be the same as them – to live in old age and have a longer life. But I know it is in God’s hand.
During my college days, when I visited them and my lola Maria was in the Philippines, I asked them what were their secret to a longer life. They were healthy and happy, with no lifetime maintenance medications, and no illnesses. Although they were old, they did not get tired doing their daily routine such as gardening, cooking, cleaning the house, etc. They told me they were praying every day. They were not eating meat. They were eating more fish, vegetables, sometimes fruits, less intake of oil, and less salt. Also, they were kind to other people, laughed, enjoyed the moments with family and friends, drank little alcohol, live a simple life, and the best thing was they were taken care of and surrounded by our family members. Praise God!
I believe they had bad experiences in life, having lived during World War II, but they survived. Some of their children are not successful but they chose to be happy, adapted and accepted the things that they cannot control. I am forever grateful to our God that they lived longer and experienced old age. God knew their relationship with Him and I believe my lola Maria had Christ in her life.
Lord, thank You for the gift of life that You have given to each one of us. Give us the wisdom to live according to Your will and have a deeper relationship with you. Help us to live a healthy life with no illnesses including our families. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
